Illinois · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Alexander County, IL

Prices around Alexander County, IL run 13.9% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $47,043 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $992 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $39,680 a year.

Alexander County, IL at a glance

Median household income

$47,043$3,920 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$992HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)86.1-13.9% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity19.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IL
Population4,875Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Alexander County, IL?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$992Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,176At 30% of $47,043
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Alexander County, IL? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Cape Girardeau, MO-IL MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Alexander County, IL, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$763$9,156$30,52019.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$807$9,684$32,28020.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$992$11,904$39,68025.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,380$16,560$55,20035.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,664$19,968$66,56042.4%

Rent in Alexander County, IL, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Alexander County, IL

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $47,043 a year ($3,920 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,960/moRent ($992 2-BR), utilities (~$179/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,176/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$784/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $47,043 leaves after Illinois taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Illinois tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$47,043
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,043
Net 80%
Fed 7%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,795After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,150Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,454Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,465 / yr
Illinois state income tax$2,184 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,599 / yr

Living in Alexander County, IL: common questions

What is the median household income in Alexander County, IL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Alexander County, IL is $47,043 per year (approximately $3,920 per month).

What is the average rent in Alexander County, IL?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $763 for a studio, $807 for one bedroom, $992 for two, $1,380 for three and $1,664 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Alexander County, IL expensive to live in?

Prices there run 13.9% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 86.1, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Alexander County, IL?

To keep a $992 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $39,680 a year, or $3,307 a month. That is 84% of what the typical household in Alexander County, IL earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Alexander County, IL?

On the local median income of $47,043 ($3,920 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,960 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,176 for everything else and $784 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $992 takes 51% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Alexander County, IL?

Homes in Illinois paid 19.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $179. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.