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City Report · IL

Bethalto

Pop. 9,239·127th most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,117/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.9%
vs US Median
-$848
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bethalto · $1,117
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,117/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$45,000/yr
Local median income
$64,775/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bethalto's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$840
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,640
Research median
$1,090/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
$13,404/yr
At $1,117/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bethalto, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 30.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,239
Median income
$64,775
Median age
40.8
Renters
19.9%
Age distribution
20.5%
21.8%
22.9%
22.9%
Under 1820.5%
18–3421.8%
35–5422.9%
55–6411.8%
65+22.9%
Gender
47.1%
52.9%
Male47.1%
Female52.9%
Race & ethnicity
92.3%
White92.3%
Black1.1%
Asian0.7%
Other5.6%
Education (25+)
33.3%
30.4%
30.4%
No HS diploma5.9%
HS diploma33.3%
Some college30.4%
Bachelor's+30.4%
Housing tenure
80.1%
19.9%
Owner80.1%
Renter19.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bethalto, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$66,193 → $64,775
down 2.1%
Population
9,414 → 9,239
down 1.9%
Renter share
21.6% → 19.9%
-1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
27.4% → 30.4%
+3.0 pts
Median age
41.6 → 40.8
-0.8 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $64,775 today, compared with $66,193 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 1.9% since 2021, moving from about 9,414 residents to roughly 9,239. Renters now make up 19.9% of households, compared with 21.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 30.4% of adults here, versus 27.4% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Bethalto on your salary?

At $1,117/mo, how Bethalto rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bethalto rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bethalto

About renting in Bethalto, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bethalto is $1,117/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($64,775/yr), Bethalto ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bethalto an affordable city for renters?

Bethalto is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,117/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($64,775/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bethalto falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bethalto?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,117/mo in Bethalto. The local median household income is $64,775/yr, meaning the typical Bethalto household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bethalto?

Rent in Bethalto has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Bethalto rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Bethalto is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #127 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,117/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bethalto?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bethalto ($1,117/mo): East Alton ($850/mo), Alton ($985/mo), Wood River ($1,000/mo).

What percentage of Bethalto residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.9% of Bethalto households are renters, while 80.1% are owner-occupied. Bethalto leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bethalto rent compare to the national average?

Bethalto's median rent of $1,117/mo is $848 (43%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #127 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,117/mo, rent takes ~21% of Bethalto's median household income ($64,775/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bethalto, IL

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