Counties › Illinois

Cost of Living in McLean County, IL

Population 171,556 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,009
Median home value$208,400
Median household income$79,905

The median rent in McLean County, IL is $1,009/month, 21% lower than the Illinois median and 29% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $208,400, 37% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $79,905 a year, 4% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 15.2%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $40,360/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 2.6×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,054/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

McLean County vs. Illinois vs. U.S.

McLean CountyIllinoisU.S.
Median rent$1,009$1,274$1,413
Median home value$208,400$263,300$332,700
Median household income$79,905$83,390$80,734
Homeownership rate65.1%67.1%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher47.2%37.8%35.7%
Poverty rate12.9%11.8%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.1%5.8%5.2%
Work from home17.5%15.9%15.1%
Median age34.339.038.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in McLean County, IL?

The median gross rent in McLean County, IL is $1,009 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in McLean County, IL?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $40,360 a year in gross income.

Is McLean County, IL expensive to live in?

Rent there is 29% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 2.6 times the median household income.

Other counties in Illinois

Cook County, ILRent $1,435 · Income $83,498DuPage County, ILRent $1,688 · Income $112,096Lake County, ILRent $1,477 · Income $110,416Will County, ILRent $1,462 · Income $109,984Kane County, ILRent $1,453 · Income $103,163McHenry County, ILRent $1,401 · Income $104,802

Counties with a similar cost of living

Lincoln County, NCRent $1,015 · Income $80,016Carlton County, MNRent $1,009 · Income $80,573Sauk County, WIRent $1,018 · Income $79,541Duchesne County, UTRent $1,009 · Income $78,445Scott County, IARent $1,005 · Income $78,277Brown County, WIRent $1,031 · Income $79,649

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Explore more

Wix Alternatives for Small Businesses & Freelancers (2026)Best Web Hosting for First-Time Site Owners (2026)Mortgage Payment CalculatorDiscount CalculatorPlay: Tide Pool PopPlay: Orbit Dodge
Get the best finds weekly

New tools, top deals and new pages — one short email a week. No spam.