Cost of Living in Mason County, Illinois

$760/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$106,100
Median Home Value
9% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$760/mo
9% below state average
Median Home Value
$106,100
62% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
26.0%
% 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 Mason County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Mason County$760/mo
Illinois Average$837/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$760/mo
Median Gross Rent
$106,100
Median Home Value
$755/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
26.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Mason County, Illinois

Mason meets national affordability norms

Mason County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% matches the Illinois state average exactly and sits just below the national norm. The median rent of $760/month is remarkably affordable given the national context, representing strong value for residents.

Right at Illinois's affordability average

Mason County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio equals the Illinois state average, positioning it as a solid middle-ground option across the state. At $760/month median rent, Mason is $77 below the state median and ranks among the more affordable Illinois counties.

Affordable housing with slight trade-offs

Mason's $760 rent is the lowest in the region, even beating Marion's $771 and Marshall's $767 by small margins. However, Mason's median income of $62,127 is lower than Marshall's ($69,818) and Marion's ($60,839), balancing the rent advantage with tighter overall budgets.

Housing costs balanced with income

Mason County households earning $62,127 median income spend $760/month on rent (14.7%) or $755/month on homeownership costs (14.6%). These ratios are among the best in the region, leaving room for other necessities and modest savings.

Mason delivers state-average value

Relocating to Mason County puts you at Illinois's affordability sweet spot with rents matching state norms and homes valued at just $106,100. This county offers balance: affordable housing, reasonable incomes, and none of the premium costs found in northern Illinois.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Mason County

$

Rent Burden

14.7%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,450

per month

Owner Cost Burden

14.6%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Mason County

Median home value is $106,100. Estimated monthly cost: $847 vs. your max of $1,450.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio14.7%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mason County, Illinois?
Mason County, Illinois has a median monthly rent of $760/mo and a median home value of $106,100. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 26.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Mason County?
The median gross rent in Mason County is $760/mo. This is 9% below state average for Illinois.
Is Mason County affordable?
Mason County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 26.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Mason County's rent compare to the state average?
Mason County's median rent of $760/mo is 9% below state average of $837/mo for Illinois.
What is the median home value in Mason County?
The median home value in Mason County, Illinois is $106,100. This is 62% 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.