Leaf River, IL vs St. Elmo, IL

Leaf River, IL and St. Elmo, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Leaf River scores 63 while St. Elmo 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 Leaf River is $795/month compared to $759/month in St. Elmo — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Elmo is more affordable at $80,300 median vs $93,600.

Median household income in Leaf River is $75,903 compared to $47,115 in St. Elmo (+61.1%). While Leaf River is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Leaf River spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in St. Elmo.

Climate-wise, St. Elmo is notably warmer with an average of 53.4°F compared to 49.4°F in Leaf River. Leaf River receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 36" in St. Elmo.