2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Carbondale, IL vs Alpena, MI

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Highlights
Are people in Alpena older or younger than people in Carbondale?
- The Median Age in Alpena is 19.2 years older than in Carbondale.

Are housing costs cheaper in Alpena or Carbondale?
- Alpena housing costs are 22.7% more expensive than Carbondale housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Alpena or Carbondale?
- The average commute for residents of Alpena is 2.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Carbondale.

Things to do in Carbondale?
Carbondale, Illinois is a vibrant city located in the heart of Southern Illinois. Visitors will find plenty to do and explore, including popular attractions like the Giant City State Park and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The town boasts a thriving cultural scene with festivals, events, and live music venues all year round. Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy browsing through the abundance of eclectic specialty stores and boutiques. Those looking for outdoor adventure can take part in activities like kayaking or mountain biking at nearby Shawnee National Forest. With its diverse culture and plenty of recreational opportunities, Carbondale is an ideal destination for visitors looking to experience the best that Southern Illinois has to offer.

Things to do in Alpena?
Alpena stands out as Michigan's only natural deep water harbor conveniently situated near Lake Huron's Thunder Bay . With over 10000 inhabiting citizens this area provides tremendous recreational variety from boating expeditions to world class scuba diving dives & almost infinite outdoors fishing very popular among vacationers coming from all over United States .

 Carbondale, ILAlpena, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock10,181329,725,481
 Median Income$24,452  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4438.4
 Avg. Home Price$116,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time13.91  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Carbondale    7 Reviews

I've lived in C'dale for over 30 years. I got an excellent education here - Giant City School was great, though fairly insular and not very diverse (among its drawbacks  More

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Over 17 years ago

I like Carbondale. It is relaxing and an easy way to go about getting a college degree. It has its ups and downs, mainly with the people in the town not recognizing the  More

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All of the comments are negative here and seem to me to be misleading. The idea that you have to have a lot of money in Carbondale is ridiculous. The price of cultural  More

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Reviews for Alpena    5 Reviews

One of the ten best places to visit in Michigan. I was born and raised in Michigan but now live in Seattle. I get back to Michigan frequently because my brother  More

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Over 12 years ago

Alpena is 740 ft above sea leval and gets 72 in. of snow every year. That's a good thing and Alpena is a winter wonderland for me . Clean and crisp with the lake frozen  More

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Alpena is a town for all ages, with plenty to do, more than one person could attend. I think the events are varied and offer something for everyone. The town is  More

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