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City Report · IL

Alton

Pop. 25,279·134th most expensive in Illinois·Alton rents have dropped 10.8%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$977/mo
Year-over-Year
-10.8%
Month-over-Month
-0.8%
vs US Median
-$985
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Alton · $977
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $977/mo, rent takes about 21% 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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,120/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $977 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$11,724/yr
At $977/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 10.8% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-10.8% YoY, -0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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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
38
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

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View Alton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Alton on your salary?

At $977/mo, how Alton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Alton is $977/mo as of August 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 21% of local median household income ($54,568/yr), Alton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Alton an affordable city for renters?

Alton is considered very affordable for renters. At $977/mo, rent takes approximately 21% 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 $977/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 10.8% over the past year as of August 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 #134 out of 142 tracked cities at $977/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Alton?

East Alton is nearby and more affordable at $850/mo, which is $127 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.

How does Alton rent compare to the national average?

Alton's median rent of $977/mo is $985 (50%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #134 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $977/mo, rent takes ~21% of Alton's median household income ($54,568/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Alton 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Alton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Alton, IL

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