What are the schools like in Payson, IL?

Payson is served primarily by Payson CUSD 1. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.0:1.

What is the median household income in Payson?

The median household income in Payson, IL is $64,313 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 0.6%.

What is the weather like in Payson, IL?

Payson has an average high temperature of 34.6°F in January and 86.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 17.0 inches.

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

Q: Is Payson, IL affordable or expensive?

Payson's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Payson is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $114,500 and the median rent is $783 per month.

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

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

Is Payson, IL a Good Place to Live?

Payson is a small town of 1,276 in Illinois, with a median household income of $64,313 and a 0.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

Strengths: Payson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Payson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Payson 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: 91.9

Payson's overall cost of living index is 91.9, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Payson costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Payson, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$114,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$783	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	83.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$64,313	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Payson is served primarily by Payson CUSD 1. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Payson, IL	National Avg
School District	Payson CUSD 1	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	18.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Payson sees average highs of 34.6°F in January and 86.0°F in July, with 38.7 inches of annual precipitation and 17.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Payson, IL
Average High — January	34.6°F
Average High — July	86.0°F
Annual Precipitation	38.7"
Annual Snowfall	17.0"

Demographics

Metric	Payson, IL	National Avg
Population	1,276	—
Median Age	26.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	0.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	96.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.7%	18.9%
Asian	2.2%	6.3%
Under 18	37.5%	22.2%
65 and over	10.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Fall Creek, IL 4 mi Plainville, IL 4 mi Adams, IL 4 mi Burton, IL 6 mi Richfield, IL 7 mi

ZIP Codes in Payson

Payson, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

62360

Payson vs Other Cities

Payson, IL vs Fall Creek, IL Payson, IL vs Plainville, IL Payson, IL vs Adams, IL Payson, IL vs Burton, IL Payson, IL vs Richfield, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Payson, IL affordable or expensive?

Payson's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Payson roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $114,500 and median rent is $783/month.

What is the crime rate in Payson, IL?

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

What are the schools like in Payson?

Public schools in Payson are operated by Payson CUSD 1. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1. 18.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Payson, IL a good place to live?

Payson, IL has a population of 1,276, a median household income of $64,313, and an unemployment rate of 0.6%. 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 Payson?

Payson averages 34.6°F in January and 86.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.7 inches with about 17.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Payson?

Payson, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 62360.

What is the population of Payson?

The population of Payson, Illinois is 1,276 with a median age of 26.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Payson?

Key numbers for living in Payson: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $114,500, median household income $64,313, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Payson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.