Mason City, IL vs Pontoon Beach, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Mason City is 17.2% cheaper than Pontoon Beach. With a cost index of 65 vs 78, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Mason City to Pontoon Beach should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Mason City is $785/month compared to $1,117/month in Pontoon Beach — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $92,200 median vs $137,900.

Median household income in Mason City is $64,250 compared to $59,375 in Pontoon Beach (+8.2%). Mason City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mason City spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Pontoon Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54°F vs 56.5°F). Pontoon Beach receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 38" in Mason City.