Living in Benton, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Benton · Census data 2020–2024
Benton has 6,863 residents with a median age of 42.6. The median household income is $54,123 (35% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $87,200, the median rent is $798/month.
Benton at a glance
- Population
- 6,863
- Median age
- 42.6State: 39
- Median household income
- $54,123State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $87,200State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $798/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 62.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.6%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Benton a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 3.9%.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Benton
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Benton the median home value is $87,200, 74% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $798 per month, which is 41.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,002 a month in housing costs.
Benton median household income
The median household income in Benton is $54,123 and the income per person is $32,057. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Benton: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,462
- Owner-occupied
- 62.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.4%
- Vacant
- 13.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1959
- Average household size
- 2.21
Benton demographics
- Population
- 6,863
- Median age
- 42.6
- Under 18
- 20.7%
- 65 and older
- 25.4%
- Households
- 2,985
- Foreign-born
- 1.9%
- Veterans
- 7.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Benton ›
Education in Benton
17.6% of adults 25 and older in Benton have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 4.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Benton
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 11%
- Drive alone
- 69.8%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.5%
Benton vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | 6,863 | $54,123 | $87,200 | $798 |
| West City | 662 | $48,750 | $71,400 | $860 |
| Buckner | 276 | $46,364 | $69,300 | $1,089 |
| Hanaford | 332 | $60,750 | $54,500 | — |
| Ewing | 341 | $70,833 | $94,500 | $785 |
| Valier | 523 | $27,305 | $80,100 | $1,144 |
| Orient | 417 | $39,750 | $49,800 | $779 |
| West Frankfort | 7,118 | $47,898 | $81,200 | $661 |
| Christopher | 2,570 | $48,247 | $66,600 | $725 |
More for people moving to Benton
Benton ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Benton: FAQ
What is the median household income in Benton, IL?
The median household income in Benton is $54,123, 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 Benton?
The median home value in Benton is $87,200, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Benton?
The median gross rent in Benton is $798 per month, about 41.1% of household income.
Is Benton, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 3.9%. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
What is the median age in Benton?
The median age in Benton is 42.6 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Benton?
The average commute to work in Benton is 24 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Benton?
The unemployment rate in Benton is 3.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Benton?
17.6% of adults in Benton 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.
Last updated: