Very AffordableNear National AverageGalesburg CUSD 205
Main Street Looking East, Galesburg, Illinois (cropped) · Robert Haugland / CC BY-SA 4.0Old Main Knox College · Jimmy Thomas / CC BY-SA 2.0Carl Sandburg State Historic Site Galesburg Illinois USA 09082018 5 · Robert Haugland / CC BY-SA 4.0Galesburg Station P6081307 (cropped) · Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0
Galesburg is a small city of 29,923 in Illinois, with a median household income of $42,346
and a 5.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Galesburg 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 Galesburg is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Galesburg 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: 89.4
Galesburg's overall cost of living index is 89.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Galesburg costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Galesburg, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$86,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$679
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
59.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$42,346
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Galesburg's violent crime rate is 512.7 per 100,000 residents
— 35% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
512.7 /100k
Property Crime
2965.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Galesburg is served primarily by Galesburg CUSD 205.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Galesburg, IL
National Avg
School District
Galesburg CUSD 205
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Galesburg sees average highs of 30.0°F in January
and 84.0°F in July,
with 39.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 25.9 inches of snow per year.
Galesburg's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Galesburg roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $86,500 and median rent is $679/month.
Galesburg's violent crime rate is 512.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2965.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Galesburg are operated by Galesburg CUSD 205.
The district has 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1. 19.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Galesburg, IL has a population of 29,923, a median household income of $42,346, and an unemployment rate of 5.2%.
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.
Galesburg averages 30.0°F in January and 84.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.0 inches
with about 25.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Galesburg, IL is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 61401, 61402.
The population of Galesburg, Illinois is 29,923 with a median age of 41.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Galesburg: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $86,500, median household income $42,346, crime index 137 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Galesburg side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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