Alton, Illinois
Among the top 6% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 23% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade F, better than 7% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade F, better than 9% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 94% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 63% of US places
- top 9% for airport distance
- top 16% for park & nature access
- bottom 2% for violent crime
Alton is a mid-size city in Illinois with about 26,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and F for weather. Standout strengths include airport distance, park & nature access, and walkability. It rates lower on property crime and violent crime.
Official websitecityofaltonil.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Hot, humid summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Light snow
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76%50%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.6 in2.5 in
muggy 95%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$49k27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 51% of US places
Home Value$94k20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$908better than 51% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 77% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.83%better than 14% of US places
Income Tax5.00%better than 47% of US places
Sales Tax8.86%better than 14% of US places
Estimated total tax burden11.38%better than 33% of US places
Unemployment6.6%better than 27% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)32°F49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)79°F70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation41.9 in50th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall10.8 inbetter than 59% of US places
Sunny Days217 daysbetter than 34% of US places
Summer Humidity69°Fbetter than 20% of US places
Comfortable Days69 daysbetter than 21% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk53.9better than 66% of US places
Air Quality51 AQIbetter than 16% of US places
School Quality62.3better than 56% of US places
Violent Crime3054/100kbetter than 2% of US places
Property Crime3125/100kbetter than 6% of US places
Community
Population25,64294th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.337th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4982nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9134th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1439th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)65.2%27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)24.6%91st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)2.5%43rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.9%70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)6.8%81st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time23 minbetter than 67% of US places
Walkability8.9/20better than 81% of US places
Airport Distance16 mibetter than 91% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access85.6%better than 48% of US places
Amenities Nearby54.99better than 41% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 84% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Alton an affordable place to live?
- Alton is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 51% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Alton?
- The median home value in Alton is $94k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Alton?
- Median household income in Alton is $49k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Alton?
- Median gross rent in Alton is $908 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Alton safe?
- Alton is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 3054/100k (better than 2%). Property crime is 3125/100k.
- What is the weather like in Alton?
- Alton averages 79°F in July and 32°F in January, with 41.9 in of annual precipitation and about 217 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Alton?
- Public-school quality in Alton is about average, scoring better than 56% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Alton?
- The average one-way commute in Alton is 23 min.
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)