What are the schools like in Monticello, IL?

Monticello is served primarily by Monticello CUSD 25. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.1:1.

What is the median household income in Monticello?

The median household income in Monticello, IL is $78,295 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.7%.

What is the weather like in Monticello, IL?

Monticello has an average high temperature of 33.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 39.6 inches and annual snowfall averages 18.1 inches.

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

Q: Is Monticello, IL affordable or expensive?

Monticello's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Monticello is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $196,700 and the median rent is $995 per month.

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

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

Is Monticello, IL a Good Place to Live?

Monticello is a small town of 6,337 in Illinois, with a median household income of $78,295 and a 1.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

Strengths: Monticello 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 Monticello is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Monticello 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

Monticello's overall cost of living index is 90.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Monticello costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Monticello, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$196,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$995	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	80.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$78,295	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

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

Schools & Education

Monticello is served primarily by Monticello CUSD 25. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.1:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Monticello, IL	National Avg
School District	Monticello CUSD 25	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.1:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	39.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Monticello sees average highs of 33.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July, with 39.6 inches of annual precipitation and 18.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Monticello, IL
Average High — January	33.1°F
Average High — July	83.6°F
Annual Precipitation	39.6"
Annual Snowfall	18.1"

Demographics

Metric	Monticello, IL	National Avg
Population	6,337	—
Median Age	40.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	23.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	96.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	21.2%	22.2%
65 and over	23.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

White Heath, IL 5 mi De Land, IL 7 mi Bement, IL 8 mi Cisco, IL 8 mi Ivesdale, IL 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Monticello

Monticello, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

61856

Monticello vs Other Cities

Monticello, IL vs White Heath, IL Monticello, IL vs De Land, IL Monticello, IL vs Bement, IL Monticello, IL vs Cisco, IL Monticello, IL vs Ivesdale, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monticello, IL affordable or expensive?

Monticello's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Monticello roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $196,700 and median rent is $995/month.

What is the crime rate in Monticello, IL?

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

What are the schools like in Monticello?

Public schools in Monticello are operated by Monticello CUSD 25. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.1:1. 39.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Monticello, IL a good place to live?

Monticello, IL has a population of 6,337, a median household income of $78,295, and an unemployment rate of 1.7%. 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 Monticello?

Monticello averages 33.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.6 inches with about 18.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Monticello?

Monticello, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61856.

What is the population of Monticello?

The population of Monticello, Illinois is 6,337 with a median age of 40.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Monticello?

Key numbers for living in Monticello: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $196,700, median household income $78,295, crime index 2 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Monticello side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.