Mattoon, IL vs Willow Springs, IL

The cost of living difference between Mattoon, IL and Willow Springs, IL is dramatic. Mattoon is 39.3% cheaper than Willow Springs, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mattoon has a cost index of 65 while Willow Springs sits at 107, 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 $1,328/month in Willow Springs — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mattoon is more affordable at $96,000 median vs $370,900.

Median household income in Mattoon is $47,308 compared to $103,429 in Willow Springs (-54.3%). While Willow Springs 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, more than the 15.4% in Willow Springs.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.4°F vs 52.1°F). Mattoon receives more rainfall at 36" per year compared to 34.4" in Willow Springs.