Phoenix, IL vs Scales Mound, IL

Scales Mound is moderately more affordable than Phoenix, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Phoenix scores 74 compared to 70 for Scales Mound, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Phoenix can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Phoenix is $1,010/month compared to $774/month in Scales Mound — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Scales Mound has cheaper rent, Phoenix actually has lower median home values ($86,300 vs $158,000).

Median household income in Phoenix is $25,703 compared to $66,765 in Scales Mound (-61.5%). Scales Mound offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Phoenix spend roughly 47.2% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Scales Mound. The Scales Mound ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Phoenix is notably warmer with an average of 52.1°F compared to 47.2°F in Scales Mound. Scales Mound receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 34.4" in Phoenix.