City · 25,279 residents · Madison County, Illinois
Alton, Illinois
In Alton, a typical home is worth $103,700 and typical rent is $1,015 a month. Compared with all of Madison County, the typical home value is 40% lower, typical household income is 28% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 14 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $89,098 to $102,378.
Typical rent
$1,002a month
▲ 5.7% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2024 to September 2026: from $931 to $1,002.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Alton is in Madison County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Madison County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical home in Alton is worth $103,700,40% less than in Madison County as a whole ($173,000).
2
The typical household income in Alton is $54,568,28% less than in Madison County as a whole ($75,793).
3
60% of households in Alton own their home, against 74% in Madison County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Alton
What homes there are in Alton, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Alton and its comparisons
Measure
Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
75%
79%
58%
61%
Attached house
2%
3%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
10%
8%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
10%
8%
22%
19%
Mobile home
3%
2%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses are the majority in Alton (75%), but less so than in Madison County (79%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Alton and its comparisons
Measure
Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
65%
36%
38%
26%
1960–1979
20%
25%
26%
24%
1980–1999
7%
20%
20%
25%
2000–2009
6%
12%
11%
14%
2010 or later
2%
7%
6%
11%
The typical home in Alton was built in 1953, 18 years before the typical one in Madison County.
Homes in Alton are smaller: 46% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Madison County, 61%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K47%
$100K–$200K42%
$200K–$300K6%
$300K–$500K4%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Alton and its comparisons
Measure
Alton
Under $100K
47%
$100K–$200K
42%
$200K–$300K
6%
$300K–$500K
4%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA limit for Madison County is high ($541,287): at least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Alton are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50012%
$500–$99936%
$1,000–$1,49943%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,349
$1,500–$1,9996%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Alton and its comparisons
Measure
Alton
Under $500
12%
$500–$999
36%
$1,000–$1,499
43%
$1,500–$1,999
6%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
About 78% of rented homes in Alton cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Madison County ($1,349).
With a mortgage
$1,149 a month
Madison County: $1,511 a month
Without a mortgage
$561 a month
Madison County: $653 a month
Owners with a mortgage
59%
Madison County: 60%
In Alton, 59% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,149 a month, against $1,511 in Madison County. Without one it drops to $561.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Alton+30%
Madison County+28%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Alton+31%
Madison County+24%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Alton+36%
Madison County+25%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Alton and its comparisons
Measure
Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+30%
+28%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+31%
+24%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+36%
+25%
+27%
+29%
The typical home value in Alton rose 30% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Madison County (28%).
The typical rent in Alton rose 31% over the same time; in Madison County, it rose 24%.
The typical household income in Alton rose 36%: more than home values (+30%) and rent (+31%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Alton and its comparisons
Measure
Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
7.3%
4.1%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
1.5%
1.0%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.30
2.35
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
74%
78%
66%
69%
Carpool
10%
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Work from home
10%
13%
16%
15%
Other means
2%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
In Alton, the rental vacancy rate is 7.3%; in Madison County, 4.1%.
Much as in Madison County, 1.5% of households in Alton have more than one person per room.
A household in Alton has 2.30 people on average, about the same as in Madison County (2.35).
In Alton, 10% of workers share a car to get to work; in Madison County, 7%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Alton?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Alton, worth $103,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 21% of the typical household income in Alton, which is $54,568 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Madison County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Alton. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $3,630 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$937
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$101,821
Total interest
$146,497
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $1,751 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,273 a month
Your payment · 21%
Tight
$1,273 to $1,637 a month
Hard
more than $1,637 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Alton ($54,568 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$690
Property tax
$158
Home insurance
$43
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$46
You need at least $3,630 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $937; principal and interest $690.
The city and its county
Alton and Madison County
Alton is in Madison County, Illinois. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Alton
Map of Madison County, Illinois, with Alton marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Alton
Madison County
Other cities with a page
Alton's own numbers
Typical home value
$103,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,015
Typical yearly household income
$54,568
Households that own their home
60%
Effective property tax rate
1.83%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Madison County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,349
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+47%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Madison County.
A typical home in Alton is worth $103,700: 40% below the county and 61% below Illinois. With the typical household income in Alton ($54,568 a year), a typical home costs 1.9 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Alton1.9 years
Madison2.3 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Madison County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Madison County rose 66% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Madison County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Madison County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.1% +2.1% 2016
2017: +2.3% +2.3% 2017
2018: +2.9% +2.9% 2018
2019: +2.8% +2.8% 2019
2020: +2.2% +2.2% 2020
2021: +7.4% +7.4% 2021
2022: +11.8% +11.8% 2022
2023: +8.2% +8.2% 2023
2024: +6.0% +6.0% 2024
2025: +6.7% +6.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Madison County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.7%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+47%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+66%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Alton next to Madison County, Illinois and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Alton$103,700
Madison$173,000
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Alton$1,015
Madison$1,024
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Alton$54,568
Madison$75,793
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Alton next to Madison County and Illinois
Measure
Alton
Madison County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$103,700 ▼40% below the county
$173,000
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,015
$1,024
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$54,568 ▼28% below the county
$75,793
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
60% ▼14 points below the county
74%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,900 ▼43% below the county
$3,319
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.83% ▼0.09 points below the county
1.92%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
54% ▲7 points above the county
47%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Madison County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Alton
For a typical $103,700 home in Alton, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Alton's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$937a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$3,630
Cash to close
$6,741
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $46
Conventional, 5% down$918a month
Down payment
$5,185
Cash to close
$8,296
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $49
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$763a month
Down payment
$20,740
Cash to close
$23,851
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$859a month
Down payment
$15,555
Cash to close
$18,666
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Alton
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$937
$3,630
$101,822
7.18%
FHA MIP · $46
$6,741
580
Conventional, 5% down
$918
$5,185
$98,515
7.18%
PMI · $49
$8,296
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$763
$20,740
$82,960
7.18%
None
$23,851
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$859
$15,555
$88,145
8.18%
None
$18,666
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Alton is $1,015 a month: about the same as the county. In Alton, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Madison County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,349 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $25.94 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Madison County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,064
$20.46
$42,560
1 bedroom
$1,104
$21.23
$44,160
2 bedrooms
$1,349
$25.94
$53,960
3 bedrooms
$1,731
$33.29
$69,240
4 bedrooms
$1,997
$38.40
$79,880
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Alton
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Alton is in ZIP code 62002.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,300: $49 less than the fair market rent for Madison County ($1,349).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Alton, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
62002
$1,030
$1,060
$1,300
$1,670
$1,930
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
62002 $1,300$1,670
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Alton when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 16 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Alton. These are the largest.
Oakwood Estates275 Janet St, Alton 62002250 homes, 244 low-income · Run by Housing Authority - City of Alton · Average payment: $409 a month · Average wait: 18 months(618) 465-4260
Skyline Towers3113 Washington Ave, Alton 62002158 low-income homes · For older adults(618) 465-1940
Marian Heights Apts20 Marian Heights Dr, Alton 62002128 low-income homes · 1 bd: 119 · 2 bd: 9 · In service since 2003 · For older adults(618) 462-0363
Hillcrest Apartments1710 Muny Vista Dr, Alton 62002100 low-income homes · For older adults(618) 465-0996
Alton Pointe100 Sullivan DR, Alton 6200284 homes, 71 low-income · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2008 · For families
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Madison County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Alton or Madison County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Alton the same as in the rest of the state.
IHDA second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance, for the down payment in Illinois.Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Alton or Madison County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Alton and all of Madison County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Alton?
The typical home value in Alton is $103,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Madison County it is $173,000.
How much does it cost to rent in Alton?
Typical rent in Alton is $1,015 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Madison County is $1,349.
What is the FHA loan limit in Alton?
Alton uses the FHA limit for all of Madison County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Alton?
The typical homeowner in Alton pays $1,900 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.83% of the home’s value; in Madison County, the rate is 1.92%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Alton?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Madison County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
