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City Report · IL

East Alton

Pop. 5,689·155th most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$850/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$1,115
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
East Alton · $850
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $850/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$34,000/yr
Local median income
$48,815/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using East Alton'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: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$10,200/yr
At $850/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 (+0.0% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

East Alton, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 16.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,689
Median income
$48,815
Median age
45.2
Renters
43.5%
Age distribution
18.7%
23.9%
22%
19.8%
15.6%
Under 1818.7%
18–3423.9%
35–5422%
55–6419.8%
65+15.6%
Gender
46.1%
53.9%
Male46.1%
Female53.9%
Race & ethnicity
90.2%
White90.2%
Black0.8%
Hispanic3.8%
Other5.3%
Education (25+)
14.3%
33.6%
35.7%
16.4%
No HS diploma14.3%
HS diploma33.6%
Some college35.7%
Bachelor's+16.4%
Housing tenure
56.5%
43.5%
Owner56.5%
Renter43.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How East Alton, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$47,089 → $48,815
up 3.7%
Population
5,887 → 5,689
down 3.4%
Renter share
37% → 43.5%
+6.5 pts
Bachelor's+
15.1% → 16.4%
+1.3 pts

Median household income grew from $47,089 to $48,815 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.7% shift. Headcount in the area went from 5,887 to 5,689 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.4% change. About 43.5% of households rent today, against 37% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in East Alton on your salary?

At $850/mo, how East Alton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

East Alton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in East Alton

About renting in East Alton, IL

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in East Alton is $850/mo as of March 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 ($48,815/yr), East Alton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is East Alton an affordable city for renters?

East Alton is considered very affordable for renters. At $850/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($48,815/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. East Alton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in East Alton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $34,000/year (~$16/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $850/mo in East Alton. The local median household income is $48,815/yr, meaning the typical East Alton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in East Alton?

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

How does East Alton rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

East Alton is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #155 out of 158 tracked cities at $850/mo.

What percentage of East Alton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.5% of East Alton households are renters, while 56.5% are owner-occupied. East Alton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does East Alton rent compare to the national average?

East Alton's median rent of $850/mo is $1,115 (57%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #155 out of 158 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $850/mo, rent takes ~21% of East Alton's median household income ($48,815/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near East Alton, IL

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