Matson Public Library · Kepper66 / CC BY-SA 4.0109 West Park Ave., Princeton, IL - c. 1915 · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainPrinceton-IL-mainstreet1 · Original uploader was ILplanner at en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 2.5Princeton-IL-mainstreet4 · The original uploader was ILplanner at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 2.5
Princeton is a small town of 7,749 in Illinois, with a median household income of $55,926
and a 6.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Princeton stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Princeton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Princeton 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: 92.2
Princeton's overall cost of living index is 92.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Princeton costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Princeton, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$136,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$727
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
71.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$55,926
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Princeton's violent crime rate is 3.1 per 100,000 residents
— 99% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
3.1 /100k
Property Crime
502.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Princeton is served primarily by Princeton ESD 115.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Princeton, IL
National Avg
School District
Princeton ESD 115
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
27.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Princeton sees average highs of 30.3°F in January
and 84.5°F in July,
with 39.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 28.5 inches of snow per year.
Princeton's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Princeton roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $136,400 and median rent is $727/month.
Princeton's violent crime rate is 3.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 502.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Princeton are operated by Princeton ESD 115.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Princeton, IL has a population of 7,749, a median household income of $55,926, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%.
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.
Princeton averages 30.3°F in January and 84.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.8 inches
with about 28.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Princeton, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61356.
The population of Princeton, Illinois is 7,749 with a median age of 46.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Princeton: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $136,400, median household income $55,926, crime index 10 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Princeton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
