Cost of Living in Rantoul, IL

Population 12,515 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

49
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Rantoul sits on the smaller end of the Illinois city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Rantoul lies roughly 85 miles east of the nearest major metro, Peoria — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Peoria's $150,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 36
Rent 68

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

About the Cost of Living in Rantoul

The median home value in Rantoul is $109,200 — 64% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $899/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,821/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 63.6°F and lows of 41.1°F. Overall, Rantoul has a cost of living index of 49 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$109,200
64% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$137,015
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$899/mo
32% below avg
Zillow Rent
$825/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.1x
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 49.6%
Renter-occupied 50.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$899
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,513/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
21.1 min
22% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.6%
Carpooled
12.6%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.8%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
10.5%

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
$49,821
33% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,865
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Labor Force Participation
57.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.5%
Graduate degree 5.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35
Male median age 35.4
Female median age 34.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.6°F
Avg Low
41.1°F
Annual Precip
40.4"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 344051647585888681675240
Low °F 162029405162646254423122
Precip" 2.542.012.583.984.334.614.443.863.283.323.192.21

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
53.7%
Good air days/yr
277
Max AQI recorded
215
PM2.5 days
150
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rantoul, IL?

Rantoul has a cost index of 49 (100 = national average). It is 51% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rantoul, IL?

The median gross rent in Rantoul is $899 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rantoul?

The median home value in Rantoul is $109,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rantoul?

The median household income in Rantoul is $49,821 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rantoul, IL?

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

Is Rantoul, IL affordable?

Yes, Rantoul is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 49 — about 51% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Rantoul?

Rantoul has average high temperatures of 63.6°F and average lows of 41.1°F. Annual precipitation is 40.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Rantoul at a Glance

Population
12,515
Median Income
$49,821
Home Value
$109,200
Median Rent
$899/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Avg High Temp
63.6°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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