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MarketsIllinoisFreeportCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Freeport, IL

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Freeport, IL

Cap Rate
3.54%
Median Price
$150K
Rent/Mo
$850
1% Rule
0.57%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Freeport's price-to-income ratio is 2.4x — homes cost 2.4 times the local median household income of $62,333. This is very affordable. Homes are well within reach of local workers, which can mean a smaller renter pool but also a healthier, more stable market. Rental demand comes from those who choose to rent rather than those priced out of buying.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Freeport (20% down at 7%) is approximately $998/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,306. The median rent of $850/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Freeport is $62,333, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.2% per year. Freeport is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Freeport is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Freeport Compares

Freeport vs Illinois state average and national average across key investment metrics. Freeport's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Freeport
Illinois Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.54%
4.43%
3.81%
Median Price
$150K
$212K
$333K
Median Rent
$850
$1,334
$1,524
Property Tax
2.06%
2.06%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.9%
5.9%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.2%/yr
0.2%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Freeport, IL
3.5%
$150K
$850
2.06%
Carbondale, IL
3.6%
$150K
$860
2.06%
Hutchinson, KS
4.1%
$150K
$830
1.38%
Connersville, IN
4.2%
$155K
$800
0.84%
Marion, IN
5.1%
$145K
$860
0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Freeport affordable for renters?
Renters in Freeport spend approximately 16% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $62,333, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Freeport?
Freeport's price-to-income ratio is 2.4x, meaning homes cost 2.4 times the local median income. This is very affordable — below the 4x threshold that typically signals a healthy buyer's market.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Freeport?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $150K home is approximately $798/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,106/mo. The median rent of $850/mo is less than the cost of buying — this parity means some renters could transition to buying.
How does Freeport's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Freeport ($150K) are 55% below the national average. Rents ($850/mo) are 44% below average. Property taxes (2.06%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Freeport Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Freeport & Related Markets

More Freeport Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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