Cost of Living in Hamilton County, Illinois
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Hamilton County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Hamilton County ranks #408 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 13%)
Sourced county brief
Hamilton County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $568 Per Month
Hamilton County's median gross rent was estimated at $568 per month, which is $299 below the Illinois unweighted county mean of $867. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 19.2%. This figure is 6.9 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean for GRAPI, which stands at 26.1%. For residents in owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $720, compared to the unweighted county mean across the state of $960. The median home value in the county was reported at $113,700, a figure that is $39,320 below the state unweighted county mean of $153,020. Household income for renter-households was estimated at $40,833. These data points provide a snapshot of housing costs relative to local income levels without indicating future market directions or explaining the underlying factors of these specific valuations. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Hamilton County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 19.2% of renter household income in Hamilton County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $568 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $720. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $22,720 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Illinois unweighted mean of county median rents is $867 per month. Hamilton County's $568 median is 34.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Hamilton County
Rent Burden
10.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,534
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.1%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Hamilton County
Median home value is $113,700. Estimated monthly cost: $908 vs. your max of $1,534.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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