Living in Carbondale, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Carbondale · Census data 2020–2024
Carbondale has 22,158 residents with a median age of 24.6. The median household income is $32,128 (61% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $127,900, the median rent is $771/month.
Carbondale at a glance
- Population
- 22,158
- Median age
- 24.6State: 39
- Median household income
- $32,128State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $127,900State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $771/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 26.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48.2%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Carbondale a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 61% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 37.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Carbondale
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Carbondale the median home value is $127,900, 62% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $771 per month, which is 33.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,400 a month in housing costs.
Carbondale median household income
The median household income in Carbondale is $32,128 and the income per person is $22,315. 37.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Carbondale: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,094
- Owner-occupied
- 26.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 73.6%
- Vacant
- 19.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 1.89
Carbondale demographics
- Population
- 22,158
- Median age
- 24.6
- Under 18
- 13.4%
- 65 and older
- 9.9%
- Households
- 9,714
- Foreign-born
- 10.1%
- Veterans
- 2.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Carbondale ›
Education in Carbondale
48.2% of adults 25 and older in Carbondale have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 23.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Carbondale
- Unemployment rate
- 10.4%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 12%
- Drive alone
- 64.1%
- Public transit
- 1.7%
- Walk to work
- 9.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.3%
Carbondale vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | 22,158 | $32,128 | $127,900 | $771 |
| De Soto | 1,654 | $62,813 | $94,700 | $832 |
| Murphysboro | 6,735 | $44,154 | $85,900 | $697 |
| Cambria | 1,300 | $57,756 | $143,800 | $1,038 |
| Makanda | 612 | $79,000 | $242,600 | $954 |
| Harrison | 830 | $77,632 | $176,100 | $915 |
| Carterville | 5,818 | $62,337 | $197,100 | $909 |
| Blairsville | 231 | $73,229 | $181,500 | — |
| Hurst | 700 | $36,635 | $68,600 | $382 |
More for people moving to Carbondale
Carbondale ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Carbondale: FAQ
What is the median household income in Carbondale, IL?
The median household income in Carbondale is $32,128, 61% 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 Carbondale?
The median home value in Carbondale is $127,900, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Carbondale?
The median gross rent in Carbondale is $771 per month, about 33.2% of household income.
Is Carbondale, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 61% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 37.4%.
What is the median age in Carbondale?
The median age in Carbondale is 24.6 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Carbondale?
The average commute to work in Carbondale is 16 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Carbondale?
The unemployment rate in Carbondale is 10.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Carbondale?
48.2% of adults in Carbondale 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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