CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Champaign — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $72,100 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing−40.2%
Champaign
71.6
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Champaign
93.6
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−3.9%
Champaign
104.6
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−3.9%
Champaign
94.6
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−20.2%
Champaign
90.5
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Champaign to see what you'd need to earn in Monroe to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$72,100
$7,900 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9018. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Champaign has 40.2% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Champaign vs other cities

Champaign, IL
vs
Aurora, IL
Index: 92.7Index: 103.6
Champaign, IL
vs
Bloomington, IL
Index: 92.7Index: 93.5
Champaign, IL
vs
Chicago, IL
Index: 92.7Index: 103.6
Champaign, IL
vs
Santa Barbara, CA
Index: 92.7Index: 108.8
Champaign, IL
vs
Fort Smith, AR
Index: 92.7Index: 85.9

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 87.2
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.