Living in Alton, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Alton · Census data 2020–2024
Alton has 25,279 residents with a median age of 38. The median household income is $54,568 (35% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $103,700, the median rent is $1,015/month.
Alton at a glance
- Population
- 25,279
- Median age
- 38State: 39
- Median household income
- $54,568State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $103,700State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,015/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 59.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.5%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Alton a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.4%.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 21%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Alton
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Alton the median home value is $103,700, 69% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,015 per month, which is 31.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,149 a month in housing costs.
Alton median household income
The median household income in Alton is $54,568 and the income per person is $29,314. 21% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Alton: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,551
- Owner-occupied
- 59.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.1%
- Vacant
- 14.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 2.30
Alton demographics
- Population
- 25,279
- Median age
- 38
- Under 18
- 23.1%
- 65 and older
- 17.2%
- Households
- 10,714
- Foreign-born
- 2.6%
- Veterans
- 8.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Alton ›
Education in Alton
21.5% of adults 25 and older in Alton have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 8.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Alton
- Unemployment rate
- 5.4%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 9.7%
- Drive alone
- 73.8%
- Public transit
- 1.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.5%
Alton vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | $103,700 | $1,015 |
| East Alton | 5,689 | $48,815 | $106,700 | $881 |
| West Alton | 467 | $111,500 | $153,100 | $1,375 |
| Rosewood Heights | 4,229 | $72,102 | $137,300 | — |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | $108,100 | $936 |
| Godfrey | 17,712 | $94,543 | $192,200 | $1,153 |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | $168,900 | $981 |
| Moro | 524 | $133,462 | $255,600 | — |
| Hartford | 1,334 | $41,092 | $66,100 | $984 |
More for people moving to Alton
Alton ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Alton: FAQ
What is the median household income in Alton, IL?
The median household income in Alton is $54,568, 35% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Alton?
The median home value in Alton is $103,700, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Alton?
The median gross rent in Alton is $1,015 per month, about 31.3% of household income.
Is Alton, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.4%. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 21%.
What is the median age in Alton?
The median age in Alton is 38 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Alton?
The average commute to work in Alton is 23 minutes; 9.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Alton?
The unemployment rate in Alton is 5.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Alton?
21.5% of adults in Alton have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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