Cost of Living in McLean 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 McLean County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
McLean County ranks #2,430 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 23%)
Sourced county brief
McLean County Median Home Value Estimated at $208,400
The median home value in McLean County, Illinois, was estimated at $208,400 during the 2020-2024 period. This value is higher than the Illinois unweighted county mean of $153,020. For those in owner-occupied housing, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,261, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $960. For renter-occupied units, the median gross rent was $1,009 per month, which sits above the Illinois unweighted county mean of $867. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI), as reported in ACS table B25071, was 27.5%. This is 1.4 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean GRAPI of 26.1%. The median renter-household income for the county was $40,204. These figures from the American Community Survey describe the housing cost environment for various tenure groups as a snapshot from the five-year measurement period. 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: McLean County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.5% of renter household income in McLean 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 $1,009 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,261. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $40,360 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. McLean County's $1,009 median is 16.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in McLean County
Rent Burden
15.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,864
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.9%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in McLean County
Median home value is $208,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,664 vs. your max of $1,864.
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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