Hillsboro, IL vs Mattoon, IL

Hillsboro, IL and Mattoon, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Hillsboro scores 67 while Mattoon scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hillsboro is $841/month compared to $764/month in Mattoon — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mattoon has cheaper rent, Hillsboro actually has lower median home values ($95,800 vs $96,000).

Median household income in Hillsboro is $48,158 compared to $47,308 in Mattoon (+1.8%). The higher salaries in Hillsboro partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillsboro spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Mattoon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54°F vs 53.4°F). Hillsboro receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 36" in Mattoon.