Montgomery, IL vs Salem, IL

The cost of living difference between Montgomery, IL and Salem, IL is dramatic. Salem is 79% cheaper than Montgomery, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Montgomery has a cost index of 116 while Salem sits at 65, 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 $752/month in Salem — a 152% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Salem is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $270,700.

Median household income in Montgomery is $96,985 compared to $57,083 in Salem (+69.9%). 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 15.8% in Salem.

Climate-wise, Salem is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Montgomery. Salem receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 33.8" in Montgomery.