Mason City, IL vs Vandalia, IL

Mason City, IL and Vandalia, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Mason City scores 65 while Vandalia 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 Mason City is $785/month compared to $738/month in Vandalia — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Vandalia is more affordable at $88,800 median vs $92,200.

Median household income in Mason City is $64,250 compared to $43,184 in Vandalia (+48.8%). 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 20.5% in Vandalia.

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