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City Report · IL

Pontoon Beach

Pop. 6,025·124th most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,175/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.2%
vs US Median
-$790
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pontoon Beach · $1,175
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,175/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$47,000/yr
Local median income
$62,861/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Pontoon Beach's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

2 BR
$1,014
3 BR
$1,498
Research median
$1,014/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
$14,100/yr
At $1,175/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pontoon Beach, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,025
Median income
$62,861
Median age
34.9
Renters
30.4%
Age distribution
26.9%
23.4%
25%
13.2%
Under 1826.9%
18–3423.4%
35–5425%
55–6411.6%
65+13.2%
Gender
53.8%
46.2%
Male53.8%
Female46.2%
Race & ethnicity
69.4%
19%
White69.4%
Black10.5%
Hispanic19%
Other1.1%
Education (25+)
42%
38%
15.5%
No HS diploma4.6%
HS diploma42%
Some college38%
Bachelor's+15.5%
Housing tenure
69.6%
30.4%
Owner69.6%
Renter30.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pontoon Beach, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,672 → $62,861
up 26.6%
Population
6,153 → 6,025
down 2.1%
Renter share
36% → 30.4%
-5.6 pts
Bachelor's+
15.3% → 15.5%
+0.2 pts
Median age
30.8 → 34.9
+4.1 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Pontoon Beach, IL now reports about $62,861, up from $49,672 in 2021. The population has contracted by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 6,153 residents to roughly 6,025. Renters now make up 30.4% of households, compared with 36% five years ago.

Community

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View Pontoon Beach rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pontoon Beach on your salary?

At $1,175/mo, how Pontoon Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pontoon Beach rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pontoon Beach

About renting in Pontoon Beach, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Pontoon Beach is $1,175/mo as of July 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,014/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,498/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($62,861/yr), Pontoon Beach ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pontoon Beach an affordable city for renters?

Pontoon Beach is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,175/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($62,861/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pontoon Beach falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pontoon Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,175/mo in Pontoon Beach. The local median household income is $62,861/yr, meaning the typical Pontoon Beach household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pontoon Beach?

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

How does Pontoon Beach rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Pontoon Beach is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #124 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,175/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pontoon Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pontoon Beach ($1,175/mo): Wood River ($1,000/mo), Granite City ($1,013/mo).

What percentage of Pontoon Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.4% of Pontoon Beach households are renters, while 69.6% are owner-occupied. Pontoon Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pontoon Beach rent compare to the national average?

Pontoon Beach's median rent of $1,175/mo is $790 (40%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #124 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,175/mo, rent takes ~22% of Pontoon Beach's median household income ($62,861/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pontoon Beach 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Pontoon Beach affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pontoon Beach, IL

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