Cost of Living in Carlinville, IL

Population 5,574 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

44
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Carlinville a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $108,000. A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Carlinville is about 40 miles southwest of Springfield, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 30% lower than Springfield's $155,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 35
Rent 56

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Carlinville

The median home value in Carlinville is $108,000 — 65% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $736/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,738/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, below the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Carlinville has a cost of living index of 44 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 56% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$108,000
65% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$5,865,937
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$736/mo
44% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$651
1 BR
$741
2 BR
$899
3 BR
$1,196
4 BR
$1,364
Owner-occupied 63.4%
Renter-occupied 36.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$736
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,350/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
24.5 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.7%
Carpooled
5.2%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
5.9%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
4.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$52,738
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,871
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
53% below avg
Poverty Rate
25.2%
Labor Force Participation
50.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.2%
Graduate degree 7.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 39.8
Female median age 44.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
84.9%
Good air days/yr
129
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Carlinville, IL?

Carlinville has a cost index of 44 (100 = national average). It is 56% below the national average.

What is average rent in Carlinville, IL?

The median gross rent in Carlinville is $736 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Carlinville?

The median home value in Carlinville is $108,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Carlinville?

The median household income in Carlinville is $52,738 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Carlinville, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Carlinville is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Carlinville, IL affordable?

Yes, Carlinville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 44 — about 56% below the US national average of 100.

Carlinville at a Glance

Population
5,574
Median Income
$52,738
Home Value
$108,000
Median Rent
$736/mo
Unemployment
2.2%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs