Homewood, IL vs Murphysboro, IL

The cost of living difference between Homewood, IL and Murphysboro, IL is dramatic. Murphysboro is 60.4% cheaper than Homewood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Homewood has a cost index of 96 while Murphysboro sits at 60, 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 Homewood is $1,422/month compared to $655/month in Murphysboro — a 117% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Murphysboro is more affordable at $79,600 median vs $210,500.

Median household income in Homewood is $96,522 compared to $42,367 in Murphysboro (+127.8%). While Homewood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Homewood spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.6% in Murphysboro.

Climate-wise, Murphysboro is notably warmer with an average of 56.4°F compared to 52.1°F in Homewood. Murphysboro receives more rainfall at 44" per year compared to 34.4" in Homewood.