East St. Louis 69 Good
East St. Louis Livability #401 ranked city in Illinois#8,245 ranked city in the USARanks better than 71% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in East St. Louis

PROS
  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

  • Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings

    Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.

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What's it like Living in East St. Louis?

Located in the state of Illinois, East St. Louis is a moderately-sized city with a population of 26,359 people. In East St. Louis, the most common ethnic group is Black or African American with a total of 97%. This is followed by 2% White and 0% Asian ethnic groups. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 29% of the East St. Louis population is married. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in East St. Louis, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 24 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in East St. Louis is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, commute, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in East St. Louis and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare East St. Louis to Illinois and the national average.

The livability score in East St. Louis is 66 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 65th percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. East St. Louis ranks well for housing (B-) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in East St. Louis. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (D), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Striving for a cost-effective lifestyle becomes increasingly essential, especially in light of the ongoing upward trajectory of everyday goods and services. In East St. Louis, residents enjoy the privilege of a cost of living that is 25.63% below the national average. This favorable positioning extends its influence across a broad spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also housing costs, groceries and healthcare costs. Consequently, this locale emerges as a hub where your financial resources go further, allowing you to maintain an economical and sustainable way of life. This affordability becomes increasingly significant in an era marked by escalating expenses, rendering East St. Louis an appealing destination for those in pursuit of financial prudence without sacrificing their quality of life.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The East St. Louis market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that East St. Louis meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in East St. Louis. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in East St. Louis are simply unattainable. The median home price for East St. Louis homes is $53,900, which is 69.2% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in East St. Louis, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 26.7% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around East St. Louis

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How Do You Rate The Livability In East St. Louis?

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Compare East St. Louis, IL Livability

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      East St. Louis transportation information

      Statistic East St. Louis Illinois National
      Average one way commute24min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.1%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.9%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit5.4%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The East St. Louis, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).