Cost of Living in Edwardsville, IL: A Local Guide

Thinking about a move to Edwardsville and wondering what your day-to-day costs might look like? You are not alone. Between housing, utilities, taxes, commuting and everyday essentials, it helps to understand how a St. Louis–area Illinois city like Edwardsville fits your budget. In this guide, you will learn the major cost drivers, how to estimate your monthly spending, and what local factors can shift affordability up or down. Let’s dive in.

Edwardsville at a glance

Edwardsville sits in Madison County, Illinois, within the greater St. Louis metro. The city blends a walkable historic core with newer subdivisions, plus the influence of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). Many residents work across the metro, so easy access to I-55, I-70, I-255 and I-270 matters. For a quick snapshot of population, households, and commute patterns, explore the U.S. Census Bureau’s tools on data.census.gov.

Why this matters for costs: university life shapes the rental market, subdivision amenities can add HOA fees, and a bi-state metro means your commute choices can change your monthly budget.

Housing costs: buying vs. renting

Housing typically drives the largest share of your budget. Your costs will vary by neighborhood, home size and age, and proximity to SIUE or downtown.

• Buying: Your monthly payment includes principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any HOA dues. Newer subdivisions often come with modern systems and possible HOA amenities, while established neighborhoods may offer larger lots or unique historic features with different maintenance profiles.
• Renting: Expect rent to reflect size, location, and amenities. Apartments and townhomes near SIUE can see seasonal demand, while single-family rentals in subdivisions may offer more space at a higher price point.

Tip: Before you compare homes, decide how much you want to allocate to housing as a share of your take-home pay. Then account for taxes, insurance, HOA, and utilities so you are comparing total monthly costs, not just a mortgage or base rent.

Property taxes explained

Illinois property taxes are parcel-specific and tied to local taxing districts, including schools, parks, and libraries. In Madison County, your bill is based on a few key pieces:

• Assessed value: In many Illinois counties, assessed value is a portion of market value set by the assessor.
• Equalization factor: Illinois may apply a multiplier to reach the equalized assessed value (EAV) for uniformity across counties.
• Local tax rate: Taxing districts set rates that apply to your EAV.
• Exemptions: Homestead and senior exemptions can reduce the EAV for eligible owners.

To review assessment details, exemptions, and recent bills by area, start with the Madison County Assessor and Treasurer. Your annual bill is typically EAV multiplied by the combined local tax rate, minus applicable exemptions. Because rates vary by district, two similar homes in different parts of Edwardsville can have different tax bills.

Utilities and monthly services

Utility providers and city services play a big role in your monthly cash flow.

• Electricity and natural gas: Ameren Illinois services most local addresses. Review current residential rates, budget billing options, and energy usage tips on Ameren Illinois.
• Water, sewer and stormwater: These are handled through the City of Edwardsville. Check the City of Edwardsville site for current rates, billing cycles, and any utility deposit or connection details when you move.
• Trash and recycling: The city contracts collection; frequency, included services, and fees can vary by address.
• Internet: You will find multiple broadband options. Pricing depends on speed, contract terms, and bundling.

Budget tip: In older homes, factor in seasonal swings in gas and electric usage. In newer construction, efficient systems can lower utility costs, but HOAs may add dues for shared amenities.

Everyday living expenses

Edwardsville offers a mix of grocery chains, local markets, and big-box stores, which gives you room to shop prices and brands. Healthcare access includes area clinics, urgent care, and regional hospitals across the St. Louis metro. If you need childcare, availability and cost can vary by program type and schedule, so it helps to research early.

Here is a simple way to plan your essentials:

• Groceries and household supplies: Start with a monthly target and track receipts for the first 60 days to calibrate.
• Health insurance and care: Include premiums plus typical co-pays and prescriptions. If you have a high-deductible plan, keep a sinking fund for out-of-pocket costs.
• Childcare or after-school care: Request current rates and waitlist info from several providers to compare options.
• Internet and mobile plans: Confirm speeds at your address and look for promotional pricing vs. standard rates after the promo ends.

For price trends and spending benchmarks, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides regional data that can help you weigh your plan against typical household spending patterns.

Transportation and commuting costs

Most Edwardsville residents drive, with many commuting to employment centers across the St. Louis metro. You have several options:

• Driving: Use a per-mile estimate to capture fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. AAA publishes annual driving cost tools to help you build a realistic commute budget.
• Public transit: Madison County Transit (MCT) operates bus routes and park-and-ride lots that connect to regional corridors. For cross-river commutes, Metro Transit serves the St. Louis side; many riders combine MCT and Metro depending on schedule.
• Parking and bridges: Downtown St. Louis parking can add a daily or monthly line item. There are no tolls on the main Mississippi River bridges in this corridor, but your route choice can affect fuel and time.

Smart planning: Map your likely commute during rush hour and compare time and cost. A 10-minute difference each way can add up over a month in both fuel and quality of life.

How SIUE shapes the market

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville influences housing, traffic patterns, and local services. Student and staff demand supports apartments, townhomes, and small rentals near campus, which can affect pricing and turnover in those pockets. Learn more about campus life and enrollment at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).

For families or employees connected to SIUE, weigh the balance between living close to campus for convenience and choosing a nearby subdivision for space and amenities.

HOAs and neighborhood differences

Newer subdivisions and many townhome or condo communities include homeowners association dues. Dues can cover lawn care, snow removal, playgrounds, pools, or shared infrastructure. Always review HOA covenants, budget, and reserve funding. In established neighborhoods, you may trade HOA amenities for larger lots or mature trees, with costs shifting more to individual maintenance.

Neighborhoods also vary in street layouts, sidewalks, and proximity to parks and trails. The City of Edwardsville site posts updates on parks, trails, and development projects that can influence long-term value and quality of life.

Schools and boundaries

Edwardsville is served by Edwardsville CUSD 7. School district boundaries, transportation, and program offerings can shape daily routines and housing decisions. For neutral, official information about schools, boundaries, and state report cards, use Edwardsville CUSD 7 and the Illinois State Board of Education’s report card site.

Note: School quality can influence home prices, so confirm boundary lines for any address you consider.

Flood zones and insurance

Parts of Madison County include areas near creeks and low-lying ground. While many Edwardsville neighborhoods are on higher terrain, it is smart to check flood maps for any property you are evaluating. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center lets you enter an address and review whether flood insurance might be recommended or required by a lender. If a parcel is in a mapped flood zone, factor the premium into your monthly budget.

Build your Edwardsville budget in 5 steps

Use this simple framework to estimate your total monthly cost of living:

1. Set your housing target

• Buyers: Estimate principal and interest based on your price range and down payment. Add property taxes divided by 12, homeowners insurance divided by 12, any HOA dues, plus a maintenance reserve.
• Renters: Add base rent, renter’s insurance, and utilities you will pay directly.

2. Add core utilities and services

• Electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, stormwater, trash, internet. Check Ameren Illinois and the City of Edwardsville for current rates and billing schedules.

3. Calculate commute costs

• For drivers, estimate roundtrip miles times workdays per month using AAA’s per-mile cost. Add parking if applicable.
• If you plan to use transit, check routes, schedules, and fare options with Madison County Transit (MCT).

4. Layer in everyday essentials

• Groceries, healthcare, childcare, mobile plans, and personal spending. Use the first 60–90 days to refine your numbers.

5. Create a cushion

• Add a buffer for surprises, seasonal utility spikes, and annual expenses like car registration or holiday travel.

Where to verify numbers

Use these official resources to pull current, local details:

• Demographics, income, and commute patterns: U.S. Census Bureau
• Utilities, billing, and city services: City of Edwardsville
• University context: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)
• Assessments, exemptions, and property tax bills: Madison County Assessor and Treasurer
• Electric and gas rates, energy usage tools: Ameren Illinois
• Regional bus routes and park-and-ride options: Madison County Transit (MCT)
• Flood zone maps and insurance indicators: FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• School boundaries and district information: Edwardsville CUSD 7

What to watch before you buy or rent

• School boundaries: Confirm for your specific address and transportation options.
• HOA rules and dues: Review budgets, reserves, and any planned assessments.
• Planned development: New roads, commercial projects, or infrastructure can affect traffic, taxes, and long-term value. Watch City of Edwardsville planning updates.
• Floodplain status: Check FEMA maps and talk with your insurance agent.
• Commute patterns: Test-drive your route at the times you will actually travel.

Ready to run the numbers for a specific home or neighborhood? If you want a local, apples-to-apples cost breakdown for Edwardsville and nearby suburbs, reach out to Jessica Michalke for friendly, data-backed guidance.

Jessica Michalke

FAQs

What makes up the cost of living in Edwardsville, IL?

• Your monthly budget typically includes housing (mortgage or rent), property taxes and insurance, utilities and internet, transportation or transit, groceries and healthcare, childcare if needed, and a cushion for maintenance and seasonal costs.

How do property taxes work in Madison County?

• Taxes are calculated from your equalized assessed value (assessed value adjusted by any equalization factor), multiplied by local tax rates, minus eligible exemptions; check bills and exemptions with the Madison County Assessor and Treasurer.

Which utilities serve Edwardsville homes?

• Ameren Illinois provides electricity and natural gas for most addresses, while the City of Edwardsville handles water, sewer, and stormwater; trash is collected under the city’s program, and multiple providers offer broadband internet.

Is commuting to St. Louis practical from Edwardsville?

• Yes, many residents drive via I-55, I-70, I-255, or I-270; use AAA’s per-mile cost to budget for driving and check Madison County Transit for bus and park-and-ride options that connect to regional routes.

Are HOAs common in Edwardsville subdivisions?

• Many newer subdivisions and attached-home communities have HOAs that fund amenities and maintenance; always review dues, what they cover, and any planned assessments before you commit.

Does SIUE affect rental prices and availability?

• SIUE helps support steady demand for rentals near campus, which can influence pricing and turnover in those areas; farther from campus, rental patterns can be more typical of suburban neighborhoods.