Hillsboro, IL vs Mount Sterling, IL

Hillsboro, IL and Mount Sterling, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Hillsboro scores 67 while Mount Sterling 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 $712/month in Mount Sterling — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Sterling has cheaper rent, Hillsboro actually has lower median home values ($95,800 vs $118,100).

Median household income in Hillsboro is $48,158 compared to $63,922 in Mount Sterling (-24.7%). Mount Sterling offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillsboro spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 13.4% in Mount Sterling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54°F vs 53°F). Hillsboro receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 36.4" in Mount Sterling.