How much does it cost to rent in Alton, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Alton, IL is $985. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Alton cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Alton is among the more affordable cities in Illinois, ranking #135 out of 142 cities at $985/mo.

When was Alton rent data last updated?

Alton rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IL

Alton

Name: Average Rent Prices in Alton, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 25,279·135th most expensive in Illinois·Alton rents have dropped 9.1%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$985/mo

Year-over-Year

-9.1%

Month-over-Month

+5.0%

vs US Median

-$980

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Alton · $985

More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

22% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $985/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$39,000/yr

Local median income

$54,568/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Alton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$880

1 BR

$910

2 BR

$1,120

3 BR

$1,450

4 BR+

$1,660

Research median

$1,120/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$11,820/yr

At $985/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (-9.1% YoY, +5.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Alton, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

25,279

Median income

$54,568

Median age

Renters

40.1%

Age distribution

23.1%

22%

25.9%

17.2%

Under 1823.1%

18–3422%

35–5425.9%

55–6411.7%

65+17.2%

Gender

47.4%

52.6%

Male47.4%

Female52.6%

Race & ethnicity

69.9%

19.5%

White69.9%

Black19.5%

Hispanic3%

Asian1.4%

Other6.2%

Education (25+)

32.1%

37.8%

21.5%

No HS diploma8.7%

HS diploma32.1%

Some college37.8%

Bachelor's+21.5%

Housing tenure

59.9%

40.1%

Owner59.9%

Renter40.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Alton, IL has changed in 5 years

Income

$45,225 → $54,568

up 20.7%

Population

25,902 → 25,279

down 2.4%

Renter share

41% → 40.1%

-0.9 pts

Bachelor's+

19.4% → 21.5%

+2.1 pts

Median household income climbed from $45,225 to $54,568 between 2021 and 2024, a 20.7% shift. Census counts show Alton, IL losing about 623 residents over the five-year window, down 2.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 19.4% to 21.5% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Alton

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View Alton rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Alton on your salary?

At $985/mo, how Alton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 12.3% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 15% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 8.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 6.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 18.4% income

very comfortable

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 20.4% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 16.6% income

very comfortable

By apartment size

Alton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Alton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Alton

About renting in Alton, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Alton is $985/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,450/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($54,568/yr), Alton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 9.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Alton an affordable city for renters?

Alton is considered very affordable for renters. At $985/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($54,568/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Alton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Alton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $39,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $985/mo in Alton. The local median household income is $54,568/yr, meaning the typical Alton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Alton?

Rent in Alton has decreased 9.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Alton rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Alton is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #135 out of 142 tracked cities at $985/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Alton?

East Alton is nearby and more affordable at $850/mo, which is $135 less than Alton.

What percentage of Alton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.1% of Alton households are renters, while 59.9% are owner-occupied. Alton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.