Mattoon, IL vs Northfield, IL

The cost of living difference between Mattoon, IL and Northfield, IL is dramatic. Mattoon is 66.1% cheaper than Northfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mattoon has a cost index of 65 while Northfield sits at 191, 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 Mattoon is $764/month compared to $2,917/month in Northfield — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mattoon is more affordable at $96,000 median vs $807,700.

Median household income in Mattoon is $47,308 compared to $180,492 in Northfield (-73.8%). While Northfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mattoon spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Northfield.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.4°F vs 50.8°F). Mattoon receives more rainfall at 36" per year compared to 32.3" in Northfield.