Harvard, IL vs Smithton, IL

Smithton is moderately more affordable than Harvard, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Harvard scores 86 compared to 80 for Smithton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harvard can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harvard is $1,184/month compared to $857/month in Smithton — a 38% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Smithton has cheaper rent, Harvard actually has lower median home values ($174,000 vs $251,600).

Median household income in Harvard is $71,418 compared to $114,453 in Smithton (-37.6%). Smithton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Harvard spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, more than the 9% in Smithton.

Climate-wise, Smithton is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Harvard. Smithton receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 37.2" in Harvard.