South Pekin is a small town of 1,003 in Illinois, with a median household income of $63,542
and a 8.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
South Pekin 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 South Pekin is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All South Pekin 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: 88.6
South Pekin's overall cost of living index is 88.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in South Pekin costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
South Pekin, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$94,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$814
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
79.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$63,542
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
South Pekin's violent crime rate is 69.8 per 100,000 residents
— 82% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
69.8 /100k
Property Crime
705.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
South Pekin is served primarily by South Pekin SD 137.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
South Pekin, IL
National Avg
School District
South Pekin SD 137
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
6.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
86.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
South Pekin sees average highs of 33.6°F in January
and 86.3°F in July,
with 39.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 26.2 inches of snow per year.
South Pekin's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes South Pekin roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $94,400 and median rent is $814/month.
South Pekin's violent crime rate is 69.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 705.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in South Pekin are operated by South Pekin SD 137.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.9:1. 6.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
South Pekin, IL has a population of 1,003, a median household income of $63,542, and an unemployment rate of 8.2%.
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.
South Pekin averages 33.6°F in January and 86.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.5 inches
with about 26.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
South Pekin, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61564.
The population of South Pekin, Illinois is 1,003 with a median age of 36.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in South Pekin: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $94,400, median household income $63,542, 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 South Pekin side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.