Cost of Living in Glen Carbon, IL

Population 13,521 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

88
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 Glen Carbon a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $278,000.

Located 15 miles northeast of St. Louis, Glen Carbon falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 50% higher than St. Louis' $185,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 91
Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Glen Carbon

The median home value in Glen Carbon is $278,200 — 9% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,088/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,434/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, 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, Glen Carbon has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$278,200
9% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$326,802
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,088/mo
17% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,200/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.3x
Favors renting
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 64.0%
Renter-occupied 36.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,088
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,702/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
27.3 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.6%
Carpooled
3.3%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
19.6%

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
$92,434
24% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,528
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
16% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor Force Participation
67.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.5%
Graduate degree 21.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.2
Male median age 38.1
Female median age 40.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 55 — Moderate
31.1%
Good air days/yr
155
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
124
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Glen Carbon, IL?

Glen Carbon has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.

What is average rent in Glen Carbon, IL?

The median gross rent in Glen Carbon is $1,088 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Glen Carbon?

The median home value in Glen Carbon is $278,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Glen Carbon?

The median household income in Glen Carbon is $92,434 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Glen Carbon, IL?

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

Is Glen Carbon, IL affordable?

Yes, Glen Carbon is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.

Glen Carbon at a Glance

Population
13,521
Median Income
$92,434
Home Value
$278,200
Median Rent
$1,088/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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