Jacksonville, IL vs Vandalia, IL

Jacksonville, IL and Vandalia, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Jacksonville scores 65 while Vandalia scores 63 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 Jacksonville is $703/month compared to $738/month in Vandalia — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Jacksonville has cheaper rent, Vandalia actually has lower median home values ($88,800 vs $128,300).

Median household income in Jacksonville is $62,615 compared to $43,184 in Vandalia (+45%). While Jacksonville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jacksonville spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Vandalia.

Climate-wise, Vandalia is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 54°F in Jacksonville. Vandalia receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 38" in Jacksonville.