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City Report · IL

Swansea

Pop. 14,710·100th most expensive in Illinois·Swansea rents are up 9.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,484/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.5%
Month-over-Month
+1.2%
vs US Median
-$481
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Swansea · $1,484
More affordable than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,484/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$59,000/yr
Local median income
$91,587/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Swansea's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,225
1 BR
$978
2 BR
$1,184
3 BR
$1,243
Research median
$1,184/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
$17,808/yr
At $1,484/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.5% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Swansea, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 42.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,710
Median income
$91,587
Median age
42.3
Renters
26.6%
Age distribution
23.2%
20.1%
24.5%
13.9%
18.3%
Under 1823.2%
18–3420.1%
35–5424.5%
55–6413.9%
65+18.3%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
70.4%
19.3%
White70.4%
Black19.3%
Hispanic0.9%
Asian2.5%
Other6.9%
Education (25+)
19.4%
34.9%
42.5%
No HS diploma3.3%
HS diploma19.4%
Some college34.9%
Bachelor's+42.5%
Housing tenure
73.4%
26.6%
Owner73.4%
Renter26.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Swansea, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$80,331 → $91,587
up 14.0%
Population
15,037 → 14,710
down 2.2%
Renter share
24.8% → 26.6%
+1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
44.6% → 42.5%
-2.1 pts
Median age
39.7 → 42.3
+2.6 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $80,331 in 2021 to $91,587 more recently. The population has contracted by 2.2% since 2021, moving from about 15,037 residents to roughly 14,710. Renters now make up 26.6% of households, compared with 24.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 42.5% of adults here, versus 44.6% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Swansea

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

Can you afford rent in Swansea on your salary?

At $1,484/mo, how Swansea rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Swansea rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Swansea

About renting in Swansea, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Swansea is $1,484/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,225/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,184/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $978/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,243/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($91,587/yr), Swansea ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Swansea an affordable city for renters?

Swansea is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,484/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($91,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Swansea falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Swansea?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,484/mo in Swansea. The local median household income is $91,587/yr, meaning the typical Swansea household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Swansea?

Rent in Swansea has increased 9.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Swansea rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Swansea is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #100 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,484/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Swansea?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Swansea ($1,484/mo): Belleville ($1,048/mo), Collinsville ($1,255/mo), Fairview Heights ($1,379/mo).

What percentage of Swansea residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.6% of Swansea households are renters, while 73.4% are owner-occupied. Swansea leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Swansea rent compare to the national average?

Swansea's median rent of $1,484/mo is $481 (24%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #100 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,484/mo, rent takes ~19% of Swansea's median household income ($91,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Swansea 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Swansea affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Swansea, IL

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