Mason City, IL vs Tilden, IL

Mason City, IL and Tilden, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Mason City scores 65 while Tilden scores 64 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 Mason City is $785/month compared to $821/month in Tilden — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mason City has cheaper rent, Tilden actually has lower median home values ($72,300 vs $92,200).

Median household income in Mason City is $64,250 compared to $45,625 in Tilden (+40.8%). While Mason City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mason City spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.6% in Tilden.

Climate-wise, Tilden is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 54°F in Mason City. Tilden receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 38" in Mason City.