
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.
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.
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
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.
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
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.
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.
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Located in the state of Illinois, Benton is a small-sized city with a population of 7,133 inhabitants. At 95%, the majority of the Benton population is White; this is followed by 2% Black and 1% Asian. 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 Benton, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 25 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Benton, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Benton and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, employment, housing and other important metrics.
Benton has a livability score of 63 out of 100 and is ranked #708 in Illinois and #13,971 in the USA. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Benton ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Benton scores poorly for, including: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
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 Benton 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 Benton 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 Benton. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Benton are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Benton come in at $132,938, which is 56.9% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Benton, the home price to income ratio is 2, which is 42.9% lower than the Illinois average.

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| Statistic | Benton | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.0% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.7% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.0% | 4.4% | 4.6% |