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City Housing Verdict

Geneseo, IL

Manageable

Your dollar goes further in Geneseo, IL — everyday costs run about 20% below the national average (Cost Index: 80). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $196,400, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $65,226 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Geneseo looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 18% rent burden, 3x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 65. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Geneseo.

Monthly Housing
$952/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
18%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,984/mo
After housing and debt · $1,328/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: property tax
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 27%
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Cost Index
80
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$196,400
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$952/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$65,226
National: $78,538
Population
6,577
Purchasing Power
104
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
65 / 100
35% below average
Rent Index
71 / 100
29% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
90 / 100
Typical utility costs
Healthcare & Services
94 / 100
6% below average
Overall Index
80
Affordable · 20% below average

Geneseo Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $196,400 and Illinois's property tax rate of 2.07%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$65,226
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
18%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
3x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Geneseo looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Geneseo, IL

Est. Annual Property Tax
$4,065
Monthly Impact
$339
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
2.07%
National avg: ~1.00%

Illinois Place Tax Context

Tax TypeIllinoisNational Avg
Property Tax Rate2.07%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate4.95%~5.0%
State Sales Tax8.82%~5.0%

Compare Geneseo to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Geneseo, IL
80
71
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Geneseo, IL: 65
Rent Prices
71

FAQ: Living in Geneseo

Is Geneseo, IL an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Geneseo run about 20% below the US average (Cost Index: 80). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $196,400, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $952, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Geneseo fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $952, while local median household income is $65,226. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 18% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Geneseo, IL?+

Illinois has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 4.95%. The effective property tax rate is 2.07%. On a home worth $196,400, that translates to roughly $4,065 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 8.82% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Geneseo, IL?+

The typical monthly rent in Geneseo is around $952. That's roughly 29% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $196,400, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Geneseo, IL?+

The median home in Geneseo is valued at $196,400. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $993/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 73% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Geneseo?+

Grocery prices in Geneseo are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 90). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Geneseo, IL like to live in?+

Geneseo is a small town with a population of about 6,577. The median age of residents is 45.3, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 2.68%, well below the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Illinois

If Geneseo feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Illinois

Use these city pages when you want to compare Geneseo against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly