In East Alton, a typical home is worth $106,700 and typical rent is $881 a month. Compared with all of Madison County, the typical home value is 38% lower, typical household income is 36% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 18 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $88,162 to $101,807.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
East 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
57% of households in East Alton own their home, against 74% in Madison County.
2
The typical home in East Alton is worth $106,700,38% less than in Madison County as a whole ($173,000).
3
The typical household income in East Alton is $48,815,36% less than in Madison County as a whole ($75,793).
4
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in East Alton barely changed; in Illinois, it rose 5.3%.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in East Alton
What homes there are in East 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
East Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: East Alton and its comparisons
Measure
East Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
85%
79%
58%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
8%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
8%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house rules in East Alton: 85% of homes, more than in Madison County (79%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
East Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Year built: East Alton and its comparisons
Measure
East Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
61%
36%
38%
26%
1960–1979
31%
25%
26%
24%
1980–1999
Unreliable estimate
20%
20%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
12%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
7%
6%
11%
Homes in East Alton are older: the typical year built is 1956; in Madison County, 1971.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K45%
$100K–$200K51%
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: East Alton and its comparisons
Measure
East Alton
Under $100K
45%
$100K–$200K
51%
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
Unreliable
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99959%
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: East Alton and its comparisons
Measure
East Alton
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
59%
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,094 a month
Madison County: $1,511 a month
Without a mortgage
$582 a month
Madison County: $653 a month
Owners with a mortgage
54%
Madison County: 60%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in East Alton is $1,094 a month, less than in Madison County ($1,511); without one, $582.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
East Alton+32%
Madison County+28%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
East AltonNo clear change
Madison County+24%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
East AltonNo clear change
Madison County+25%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: East Alton and its comparisons
Measure
East Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+32%
+28%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+24%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+25%
+27%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in East Alton rose 32%; in Madison County, it rose 28%.
Rent in East Alton moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: East Alton and its comparisons
Measure
East Alton
Madison County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.1%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.11
2.35
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
67%
78%
66%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
13%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in East Alton has 2.11 people, fewer than in Madison County (2.35).
In East Alton, 67% of workers drive alone to work; in Madison County, 78%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in East Alton?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in East Alton, worth $106,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 24% of the typical household income in East Alton, which is $48,815 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 East 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 $3,735 (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
$995
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$104,767
Total interest
$150,735
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $1,802 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,139 a month
Your payment · 24%
Tight
$1,139 to $1,464 a month
Hard
more than $1,464 a month
Compared with the typical household income in East Alton ($48,815 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$710
Property tax
$194
Home insurance
$45
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$47
You need at least $3,735 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 $995; principal and interest $710.
The city and its county
East Alton and Madison County
East 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).
East Alton
Map of Madison County, Illinois, with East Alton marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
East Alton
Madison County
Other cities with a page
East Alton's own numbers
Typical home value
$106,700
Typical monthly rent
$881
Typical yearly household income
$48,815
Households that own their home
57%
Effective property tax rate
2.18%
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 East Alton is worth $106,700: 38% below the county and 59% below Illinois. With the typical household income in East Alton ($48,815 a year), a typical home costs 2.2 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.
East Alton2.2 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
East 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
East Alton$106,700
Madison$173,000
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
East Alton$881
Madison$1,024
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
East Alton$48,815
Madison$75,793
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
East Alton next to Madison County and Illinois
Measure
East Alton
Madison County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$106,700 ▼38% below the county
$173,000
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$881 ▼14% below the county
$1,024
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$48,815 ▼36% below the county
$75,793
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
57% ▼18 points below the county
74%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,323 ▼30% below the county
$3,319
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
2.18% ▲0.26 points above the county
1.92%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
53% ▲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 East Alton
For a typical $106,700 home in East Alton, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, East Alton's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$995a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$3,735
Cash to close
$6,936
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $47
Conventional, 5% down$976a month
Down payment
$5,335
Cash to close
$8,536
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $51
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$817a month
Down payment
$21,340
Cash to close
$24,541
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$915a month
Down payment
$16,005
Cash to close
$19,206
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in East Alton
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$995
$3,735
$104,767
7.18%
FHA MIP · $47
$6,936
580
Conventional, 5% down
$976
$5,335
$101,365
7.18%
PMI · $51
$8,536
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$817
$21,340
$85,360
7.18%
None
$24,541
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$915
$16,005
$90,695
8.18%
None
$19,206
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 East Alton is $881 a month: 14% below the county. In East Alton, 53% 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 East Alton
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). East Alton has 3 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,080 in 62024 to $1,300 in 62002.
None is above the fair market rent for Madison County ($1,349).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 3 ZIP codes of East Alton, beside the one for Madison County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,080 in 62024 to $1,300 in 62002. None is above the fair market rent for Madison County ($1,349).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,349
Lowest: $1,080 (62024)Highest: $1,300 (62002)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in East Alton, fiscal year 2027.
62002
$1,030
$1,060
$1,300
$1,670
$1,930
62018
$1,020
$1,060
$1,290
$1,660
$1,910
62024
$850
$880
$1,080
$1,390
$1,600
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
62002 $1,300$1,670
62018 $1,290$1,660
62024 $1,080$1,390
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for East 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)
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 East Alton or Madison County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in East 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 East 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 East 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 East Alton?
The typical home value in East Alton is $106,700, 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 East Alton?
Typical rent in East Alton is $881 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 East Alton?
East 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 East Alton?
The typical homeowner in East Alton pays $2,323 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.18% of the home’s value; in Madison County, the rate is 1.92%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in East 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.
