Lake Bluff, IL vs Mattoon, IL

The cost of living difference between Lake Bluff, IL and Mattoon, IL is dramatic. Mattoon is 134.9% cheaper than Lake Bluff, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lake Bluff has a cost index of 152 while Mattoon sits at 65, 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 Lake Bluff is $1,826/month compared to $764/month in Mattoon — a 139% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mattoon is more affordable at $96,000 median vs $739,400.

Median household income in Lake Bluff is $205,735 compared to $47,308 in Mattoon (+334.9%). While Lake Bluff is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Bluff spend roughly 10.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Mattoon.

Climate-wise, Mattoon is notably warmer with an average of 53.4°F compared to 48.3°F in Lake Bluff. Mattoon receives more rainfall at 36" per year compared to 35.3" in Lake Bluff.