Below Average CostNear National AverageChampaign CUSD 4
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Champaign is a mid-sized city of 88,628 in Illinois, with a median household income of $58,273
and a 4.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Champaign stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A+), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Champaign is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Champaign 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: 90.8
Champaign's overall cost of living index is 90.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Champaign costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Champaign, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$191,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,056
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
45.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$58,273
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Champaign's violent crime rate is 501.9 per 100,000 residents
— 32% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
501.9 /100k
Property Crime
2279.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Champaign is served primarily by Champaign CUSD 4.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Champaign, IL
National Avg
School District
Champaign CUSD 4
—
Elementary Schools
12
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
51.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Champaign sees average highs of 33.5°F in January
and 85.2°F in July,
with 40.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 20.8 inches of snow per year.
Champaign's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Champaign roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $191,200 and median rent is $1,056/month.
Champaign's violent crime rate is 501.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2279.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Champaign are operated by Champaign CUSD 4.
The district has 12 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.9:1. 51.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Champaign, IL has a population of 88,628, a median household income of $58,273, and an unemployment rate of 4.8%.
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.
Champaign averages 33.5°F in January and 85.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.8 inches
with about 20.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Champaign, IL is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 61822, 61821, 61820.
The population of Champaign, Illinois is 88,628 with a median age of 27.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Champaign: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $191,200, median household income $58,273, crime index 123 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Champaign side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
