Carbon Cliff is a small town of 2,012 in Illinois, with a median household income of $50,208
and a 8.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Carbon Cliff 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 Carbon Cliff is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Carbon Cliff 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: 89.3
Carbon Cliff's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Carbon Cliff costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Carbon Cliff, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$107,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$957
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
54.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$50,208
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Carbon Cliff's violent crime rate is 324.9 per 100,000 residents
— 15% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
324.9 /100k
Property Crime
2292.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Carbon Cliff is served primarily by Black Hawk Area Sp Ed District.
Metric
Carbon Cliff, IL
National Avg
School District
Black Hawk Area Sp Ed District
—
Elementary Schools
N/A
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
7.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Carbon Cliff sees average highs of 30.5°F in January
and 85.0°F in July,
with 37.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 36.1 inches of snow per year.
Carbon Cliff's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Carbon Cliff roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $107,400 and median rent is $957/month.
Carbon Cliff's violent crime rate is 324.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2292.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Carbon Cliff are operated by Black Hawk Area Sp Ed District.
The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
7.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Carbon Cliff, IL has a population of 2,012, a median household income of $50,208, and an unemployment rate of 8.1%.
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.
Carbon Cliff averages 30.5°F in January and 85.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.5 inches
with about 36.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Carbon Cliff, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61239.
The population of Carbon Cliff, Illinois is 2,012 with a median age of 33.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Carbon Cliff: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $107,400, median household income $50,208, crime index 95 (100 = US average, lower is safer). Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Carbon Cliff side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
