Living in Rock Island, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rock Island · Census data 2020–2024
Rock Island has 36,151 residents with a median age of 37.4. The median household income is $59,041 (29% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $125,900, the median rent is $842/month.
Rock Island at a glance
- Population
- 36,151
- Median age
- 37.4State: 39
- Median household income
- $59,041State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $125,900State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $842/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 64.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.5%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Rock Island a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 21%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Rock Island
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rock Island the median home value is $125,900, 62% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $842 per month, which is 32% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,270 a month in housing costs.
Rock Island median household income
The median household income in Rock Island is $59,041 and the income per person is $34,053. 21% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Rock Island: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,533
- Owner-occupied
- 64.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.2%
- Vacant
- 7.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1954
- Average household size
- 2.16
Rock Island demographics
- Population
- 36,151
- Median age
- 37.4
- Under 18
- 21%
- 65 and older
- 18.8%
- Households
- 15,285
- Foreign-born
- 8%
- Veterans
- 6.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rock Island ›
Education in Rock Island
24.5% of adults 25 and older in Rock Island have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 10.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rock Island
- Unemployment rate
- 6.3%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 10.3%
- Drive alone
- 75.8%
- Public transit
- 1.7%
- Walk to work
- 3.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.6%
Rock Island vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Island | 36,151 | $59,041 | $125,900 | $842 |
| Milan | 5,034 | $62,597 | $119,300 | $963 |
| Oak Grove | 277 | $40,972 | $14,200 | $1,036 |
| Moline | 42,197 | $67,701 | $146,300 | $900 |
| Coyne Center | 904 | $115,156 | $221,400 | — |
| Davenport | 100,913 | $66,200 | $166,400 | $978 |
| Andalusia | 1,021 | $77,222 | $168,000 | $825 |
| Riverdale | 396 | $95,000 | $276,300 | $1,600 |
| Coal Valley | 4,229 | $106,850 | $215,700 | — |
More for people moving to Rock Island
Rock Island ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rock Island: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rock Island, IL?
The median household income in Rock Island is $59,041, 29% 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 Rock Island?
The median home value in Rock Island is $125,900, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Rock Island?
The median gross rent in Rock Island is $842 per month, about 32% of household income.
Is Rock Island, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 21%.
What is the median age in Rock Island?
The median age in Rock Island is 37.4 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Rock Island?
The average commute to work in Rock Island is 19 minutes; 10.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rock Island?
The unemployment rate in Rock Island is 6.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rock Island?
24.5% of adults in Rock Island 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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