Montgomery, IL vs Normal, IL

The cost of living difference between Montgomery, IL and Normal, IL is dramatic. Normal is 47.9% cheaper than Montgomery, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Montgomery has a cost index of 116 while Normal sits at 78, 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 Montgomery is $1,897/month compared to $974/month in Normal — a 95% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Normal is more affordable at $199,900 median vs $270,700.

Median household income in Montgomery is $96,985 compared to $66,350 in Normal (+46.2%). The higher salaries in Montgomery partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Montgomery spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.6% in Normal.

Climate-wise, Normal is notably warmer with an average of 52.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Montgomery. Normal receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 33.8" in Montgomery.