What are the schools like in Benton, IL?

Benton is served primarily by Frankln/Johnsn/Massc/Willimsn ROE. The district operates several elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 3 high schools.

What is the median household income in Benton?

The median household income in Benton, IL is $48,784 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.1%.

What is the weather like in Benton, IL?

Benton has an average high temperature of 40.7°F in January and 88.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 9.8 inches.

Benton, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Benton, IL affordable or expensive?

Benton's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Benton is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $81,200 and the median rent is $711 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Benton, IL?

Crime rate data for Benton is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Benton, IL a Good Place to Live?

Benton is a small town of 6,999 in Illinois, with a median household income of $48,784 and a 5.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Benton stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Benton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Benton city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 89.5

Benton's overall cost of living index is 89.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Benton costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Benton, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$81,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$711	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	64.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$48,784	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Benton is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Benton is served primarily by Frankln/Johnsn/Massc/Willimsn ROE.

Metric	Benton, IL	National Avg
School District	Frankln/Johnsn/Massc/Willimsn ROE	—
Elementary Schools	N/A	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	N/A	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	21.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	89.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Benton sees average highs of 40.7°F in January and 88.2°F in July, with 46.0 inches of annual precipitation and 9.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Benton, IL
Average High — January	40.7°F
Average High — July	88.2°F
Annual Precipitation	46.0"
Annual Snowfall	9.8"

Demographics

Metric	Benton, IL	National Avg
Population	6,999	—
Median Age	40.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	92.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.2%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	22.6%	22.2%
65 and over	21.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

West City, IL 2 mi Buckner, IL 6 mi Hanaford, IL 6 mi Ewing, IL 6 mi Valier, IL 7 mi

ZIP Codes in Benton

Benton, IL is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

62812 62897

Benton vs Other Cities

Benton, IL vs West City, IL Benton, IL vs Buckner, IL Benton, IL vs Hanaford, IL Benton, IL vs Ewing, IL Benton, IL vs Valier, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benton, IL affordable or expensive?

Benton's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Benton roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $81,200 and median rent is $711/month.

What is the crime rate in Benton, IL?

Crime data for Benton is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Benton?

Public schools in Benton are operated by Frankln/Johnsn/Massc/Willimsn ROE. The district has several elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Benton, IL a good place to live?

Benton, IL has a population of 6,999, a median household income of $48,784, and an unemployment rate of 5.1%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Benton?

Benton averages 40.7°F in January and 88.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.0 inches with about 9.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Benton?

Benton, IL is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 62812, 62897.

What is the population of Benton?

The population of Benton, Illinois is 6,999 with a median age of 40.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Benton?

Key numbers for living in Benton: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $81,200, median household income $48,784. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Benton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.