Cost of Living in Bureau County, Illinois

$838/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$121,900
Median Home Value
0% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$838/mo
0% above state average
Median Home Value
$121,900
57% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
25.0%
% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating
Unaffordable
Rent over 50% of income

How Bureau County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Bureau County$838/mo
Illinois Average$837/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$838/mo
Median Gross Rent
$121,900
Median Home Value
$920/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
25.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Bureau County, Illinois

Rent costs bite harder than average

Bureau County renters spend 15.3% of income on housing, exceeding the national average of 14.7% by more than half a percentage point. With median rent of $838 and household income of $65,894, residents shoulder above-average affordability pressure.

High affordability burden for state

Bureau County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio matches Adams County as among the highest in this sample and runs above Illinois's state average of 14.7%. Median rent of $838 tracks nearly even with the state median of $837.

Mid-range costs, above-average burden

Bureau County's $838 rent sits at the state median, but the 15.3% affordability ratio suggests incomes are weaker than neighboring counties with similar rent levels. This creates tighter budgets for Bureau County renters.

Renters squeezed harder than owners

At $838 monthly, rent claims 15.3% of income—the tightest squeeze among the eight counties—while homeowners pay $920 (16.8%) on median homes valued at $121,900. Renters face particular pressure in Bureau County's market.

Navigate affordability trade-offs carefully

Bureau County's above-average rent burden suggests you'll need strong household income to move here comfortably. Compare your own earnings against the county median to gauge whether relocating makes financial sense.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Bureau County

$

Rent Burden

15.3%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,538

per month

Owner Cost Burden

16.8%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Bureau County

Median home value is $121,900. Estimated monthly cost: $973 vs. your max of $1,538.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio15.3%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bureau County, Illinois?
Bureau County, Illinois has a median monthly rent of $838/mo and a median home value of $121,900. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 25.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Bureau County?
The median gross rent in Bureau County is $838/mo. This is 0% above state average for Illinois.
Is Bureau County affordable?
Bureau County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 25.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Bureau County's rent compare to the state average?
Bureau County's median rent of $838/mo is 0% above state average of $837/mo for Illinois.
What is the median home value in Bureau County?
The median home value in Bureau County, Illinois is $121,900. This is 57% below the national median home value of $281,900.
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.