| Index | Mount Vernon | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 86 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 54 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 100 | 100 |
The cost of living in Mount Vernon affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Mount Vernon is 86, which is 14% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Mount Vernon stands out by reporting housing costs that are 46.3% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Mount Vernon can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Mount Vernon. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 57% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 43% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Mount Vernon an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Mount Vernon is 56.4% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 22.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Mount Vernon has a median household income of $63,109, which is 22.4% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Mount Vernon, the transportation index is 0.2% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Mount Vernon, the groceries index is 0.3% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Mount Vernon, is 46.3% lower than the national average.
The Mount Vernon cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $84,075 | $7,006 | $1,962 | $2,523 |
| Renters | $44,963 | $3,747 | $1,049 | $1,349 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 10.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Keenes, IL | 54 | 97 | 3.1% |
| Walnut Hill, IL | 114 | 78 | 22.3% |
| Kell, IL | 146 | 78 | 21.9% |
| Wamac, IL | 1,271 | 80 | 20.3% |
| Dix, IL | 551 | 80 | 19.7% |
| Mount Vernon, IL | 15,250 | 86 | 14.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hobe Sound, FL | 15,254 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Tonawanda, NY | 15,243 | 98 | 2.5% |
| Mercier, QC | 15,257 | n/a | |
| Sunset, FL | 15,259 | 135 | 34.5% |
| Jennings, MO | 15,259 | 83 | 17.4% |
| Mount Vernon, IL | 15,250 | 86 | 14.4% |
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