Cost of Living in Washington 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 Washington County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Washington County ranks #1,571 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 50%)
Sourced county brief
Washington County Renter Median Income Estimated at $49,338
The median renter-household income in Washington County was $49,338, as estimated in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. During this period, the median gross rent in the county was $818 per month. The official rentBurdenGrapiPct, representing the median gross rent as a percentage of household income for renters, was 22.8%. This is 3.3 percentage points below the Illinois unweighted county mean of 26.1%. For owner-occupied units, the median home value was $155,700, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $153,020. Median selected monthly owner costs for all households were $926, compared to the $960 unweighted mean for the state. The overall median household income for the county was $78,224. These numbers provide a factual summary of current data from the U.S. Census Bureau. See ACS table B25119 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: Washington County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 22.8% of renter household income in Washington 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 $818 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $926. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,720 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. Washington County's $818 median is 5.7% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Washington County
Rent Burden
12.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,825
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.2%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Washington County
Median home value is $155,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,243 vs. your max of $1,825.
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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