Merrionette Park, IL vs Monticello, IL

Monticello is moderately more affordable than Merrionette Park, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Merrionette Park scores 85 compared to 79 for Monticello, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Merrionette Park can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Merrionette Park is $1,197/month compared to $1,030/month in Monticello — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monticello has cheaper rent, Merrionette Park actually has lower median home values ($152,600 vs $196,000).

Median household income in Merrionette Park is $53,623 compared to $88,611 in Monticello (-39.5%). Monticello offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Merrionette Park spend roughly 26.8% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Monticello.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 51.1°F). Monticello receives more rainfall at 39.6" per year compared to 34.4" in Merrionette Park.