Lanark is a small town of 1,553 in Illinois, with a median household income of $67,031
and a 4.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lanark stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Lanark is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lanark 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: 91.2
Lanark's overall cost of living index is 91.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lanark costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lanark, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$94,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$806
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
78.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$67,031
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Lanark's violent crime rate is 137.4 per 100,000 residents
— 64% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
137.4 /100k
Property Crime
137.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lanark is served primarily by Eastland CUSD 308.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lanark, IL
National Avg
School District
Eastland CUSD 308
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lanark sees average highs of 30.7°F in January
and 84.9°F in July,
with 37.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 33.4 inches of snow per year.
Lanark's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lanark roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $94,800 and median rent is $806/month.
Lanark's violent crime rate is 137.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 137.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lanark are operated by Eastland CUSD 308.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 15.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lanark, IL has a population of 1,553, a median household income of $67,031, and an unemployment rate of 4.0%.
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.
Lanark averages 30.7°F in January and 84.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.5 inches
with about 33.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Lanark, Illinois is 1,553 with a median age of 38.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lanark: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $94,800, median household income $67,031, crime index 24 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lanark side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
