Malden, IL vs St. Elmo, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Elmo is 15.1% cheaper than Malden. With a cost index of 63 vs 73, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Elmo to Malden should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Malden is $1,014/month compared to $759/month in St. Elmo — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Elmo is more affordable at $80,300 median vs $102,600.

Median household income in Malden is $69,327 compared to $47,115 in St. Elmo (+47.1%). While Malden is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Malden spend roughly 17.6% 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 47.8°F in Malden. Malden receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 36" in St. Elmo.