Cost of Living in Mercer 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 Mercer County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Mercer County ranks #1,554 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 49%)
Sourced county brief
Mercer County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $786 Monthly
The median gross rent in Mercer County was estimated at $786 per month, which is $81 below the Illinois unweighted county mean of $867. Regarding rental affordability, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 25.1%. This official ACS B25071 metric is 1.0 percentage point lower than the state unweighted county mean of 26.1%. For residents in owner-occupied units, the median monthly owner cost was $993, while the unweighted state county mean was $960. The median home value in the county was $146,700, which is below the unweighted state county mean of $153,020. Renter-household median income in Mercer County was recorded at $37,500 for the period. These data points provide a housing cost snapshot from the American Community Survey. 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: Mercer County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.1% of renter household income in Mercer 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 $786 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $993. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $31,440 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. Mercer County's $786 median is 9.4% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Mercer County
Rent Burden
12.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,731
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.1%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Mercer County
Median home value is $146,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,171 vs. your max of $1,731.
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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