Living in East St. Louis, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of East St. Louis · Census data 2020–2024
East St. Louis has 17,999 residents with a median age of 44.3. The median household income is $35,700 (57% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $52,600, the median rent is $847/month.
East St. Louis at a glance
- Population
- 17,999
- Median age
- 44.3State: 39
- Median household income
- $35,700State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $52,600State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $847/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 60.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.9%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is East St. Louis a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 80% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 57% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 17.3%; a poverty rate of 32.8%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in East St. Louis
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In East St. Louis the median home value is $52,600, 84% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $847 per month, which is 34% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,099 a month in housing costs.
East St. Louis median household income
The median household income in East St. Louis is $35,700 and the income per person is $23,036. 32.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in East St. Louis: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,552
- Owner-occupied
- 60.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.3%
- Vacant
- 33.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 2.56
33.8% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that East St. Louis has many vacation and second homes.
East St. Louis demographics
- Population
- 17,999
- Median age
- 44.3
- Under 18
- 17.7%
- 65 and older
- 23.1%
- Households
- 6,982
- Foreign-born
- 1.4%
- Veterans
- 6.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of East St. Louis ›
Education in East St. Louis
15.9% of adults 25 and older in East St. Louis have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in East St. Louis
- Unemployment rate
- 17.3%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 7.6%
- Drive alone
- 69.3%
- Public transit
- 3.2%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 76.7%
East St. Louis vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East St. Louis | 17,999 | $35,700 | $52,600 | $847 |
| Washington Park | 1,701 | $38,750 | $37,500 | $864 |
| Sauget | 307 | $62,171 | $51,400 | $733 |
| Fairmont City | 2,492 | $48,147 | $71,200 | $1,084 |
| Brooklyn | 729 | $30,673 | $37,500 | $904 |
| Cahokia Heights | 17,106 | $33,792 | $56,000 | $981 |
| Venice | 1,636 | $32,066 | $54,000 | $1,015 |
| Madison | 2,900 | $49,326 | $58,900 | $1,014 |
| Caseyville | 4,130 | $60,669 | $96,800 | $1,122 |
More for people moving to East St. Louis
East St. Louis ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in East St. Louis: FAQ
What is the median household income in East St. Louis, IL?
The median household income in East St. Louis is $35,700, 57% 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 East St. Louis?
The median home value in East St. Louis is $52,600, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in East St. Louis?
The median gross rent in East St. Louis is $847 per month, about 34% of household income.
Is East St. Louis, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 80% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 57% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 17.3%; a poverty rate of 32.8%.
What is the median age in East St. Louis?
The median age in East St. Louis is 44.3 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in East St. Louis?
The average commute to work in East St. Louis is 23 minutes; 7.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in East St. Louis?
The unemployment rate in East St. Louis is 17.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is East St. Louis?
15.9% of adults in East St. Louis 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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