Alton 64 Average
Alton Livability #701 ranked city in Illinois#14,289 ranked city in the USARanks better than 51% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Alton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

  • Schools Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Alton?

Alton is a medium-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 27,407 inhabitants. At 70%, the majority of the Alton population is White; this is followed by 24% Black and 0% Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 46% of the Alton population is married. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Alton, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Alton is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling 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. With useful information like crime, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Alton and in the areas around Alton is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Alton has received a livability score of 65/100. This score is ranked in the 59th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Alton ranks well for housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Alton. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (D-), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Alton apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Alton is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Alton come in at $141,314, which is 54.2% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Alton, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 37.1% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Alton

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Compare Alton, IL Livability

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      Alton transportation information

      Statistic Alton Illinois National
      Average one way commute24min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.0%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home5.5%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Alton, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.