Hillside, IL vs McLeansboro, IL

The cost of living difference between Hillside, IL and McLeansboro, IL is dramatic. McLeansboro is 66.4% cheaper than Hillside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hillside has a cost index of 93 while McLeansboro sits at 56, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hillside is $1,265/month compared to $548/month in McLeansboro — a 131% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McLeansboro is more affordable at $72,200 median vs $233,800.

Median household income in Hillside is $70,772 compared to $46,589 in McLeansboro (+51.9%). The higher salaries in Hillside partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillside spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in McLeansboro.

Climate-wise, McLeansboro is notably warmer with an average of 56.4°F compared to 51.3°F in Hillside. McLeansboro receives more rainfall at 44" per year compared to 37.9" in Hillside.