Illinois · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in St. Clair County, IL

The median household in St. Clair County, IL earns $73,854 a year ($6,155/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,218/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $48,720 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$73,854$6,155 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,218HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)95.1-4.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IL
Census Population253,694Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in St. Clair County, IL

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,218Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$48,720To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,846At 30% of $73,854
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: St. Clair County, IL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for St. Louis, MO-IL HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for St. Clair County, IL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$955$11,460$38,20015.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$995$11,940$39,80016.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,218$14,616$48,72019.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,568$18,816$62,72025.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,812$21,744$72,48029.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for St. Clair County, IL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in St. Clair County, IL

Based on the local median household income of $73,854/year ($6,155/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,077/moRent ($1,218 2-BR), utilities (~$179/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,846/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 95.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,231/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Illinois

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Illinois state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$73,854
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,854
Net 78%
Fed 10%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$57,275After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,773Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,203Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,418 / yr
Illinois state income tax$3,511 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,650 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Illinois with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in St. Clair County, IL

What is the median household income in St. Clair County, IL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Clair County, IL is $73,854 per year (approximately $6,155 per month).

What is the average rent in St. Clair County, IL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in St. Clair County, IL are $955 for a studio, $995 for 1 bedroom, $1,218 for 2 bedrooms, $1,568 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,812 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in St. Clair County, IL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in St. Clair County, IL is 95.1 (4.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in St. Clair County, IL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,218/month) in St. Clair County, IL requires a minimum gross household income of $48,720 per year ($4,060 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in St. Clair County, IL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $73,854/year ($6,155/month) in St. Clair County, IL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,077/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,846/month to discretionary spending, and $1,231/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in St. Clair County, IL?

Residential electricity rates in Illinois average 19.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $179 per month.