Lee, IL vs Nelson, IL

The cost of living difference between Lee, IL and Nelson, IL is dramatic. Nelson is 42.3% cheaper than Lee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lee has a cost index of 82 while Nelson sits at 58, 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 Lee is $1,102/month compared to $600/month in Nelson — a 84% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Nelson is more affordable at $71,300 median vs $155,200.

Median household income in Lee is $76,250 compared to $45,938 in Nelson (+66%). While Lee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lee spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in Nelson.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.8°F vs 49.4°F). Lee receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 37.2" in Nelson.