Cost of Living in St. Joseph, IL

Population 3,833 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

St. Joseph 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. An unemployment rate of 0.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, St. Joseph lies roughly 90 miles east of the nearest major metro, Springfield. Median home values run roughly 66% higher than Springfield's $155,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 84
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in St. Joseph

The median home value in St. Joseph is $257,400 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $969/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $114,594/year is 54% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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, St. Joseph has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$257,400
16% below avg
Median Rent
$969/mo
26% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.1x
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 85.8%
Renter-occupied 14.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$969
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,583/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
26.3 min
3% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.5%
Carpooled
3.2%
Public transit
0.1%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
17.4%

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
$114,594
54% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,391
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
86% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Labor Force Participation
70.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.7%
Graduate degree 15.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.9
Male median age 35.5
Female median age 41.9

💨 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 St. Joseph, IL?

St. Joseph has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Joseph, IL?

The median gross rent in St. Joseph is $969 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Joseph?

The median home value in St. Joseph is $257,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Joseph?

The median household income in St. Joseph is $114,594 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. Joseph, IL?

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

Is St. Joseph, IL affordable?

Yes, St. Joseph is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

St. Joseph at a Glance

Population
3,833
Median Income
$114,594
Home Value
$257,400
Median Rent
$969/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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