Cost of Living in Monroe 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 Monroe County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Monroe County ranks #2,563 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 18%)
Sourced county brief
Monroe County Median Home Value Reaches $282,100
In Monroe County, the median home value was estimated at $282,100, which is significantly higher than the Illinois unweighted county mean of $153,020. The median monthly owner cost for all owner-occupied units was $1,436, compared to the unweighted state county mean of $960. For those in rental housing, the median gross rent was $1,042 per month, which is above the unweighted state county mean of $867. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.0%. This official ACS B25071 metric is 1.9 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 26.1%. Renter-household median income was reported at $42,560 for the county. These figures represent housing costs as captured in the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 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: Monroe County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.0% of renter household income in Monroe 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 $1,042 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,436. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $41,680 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. Monroe County's $1,042 median is 20.1% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Monroe County
Rent Burden
12.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,401
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Monroe County
Median home value is $282,100. Estimated monthly cost: $2,252 vs. your max of $2,401.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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
What is the cost of living in Monroe County, Illinois?
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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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