Median owner-occupied home value
$141,300
A broad benchmark for homes people own here—not a live asking price.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
All communities
Complete relocation guide
Moving to Belleville
Independent Metro East city · housing, schools, commute, costs and everyday life
About this CityHub guideThe Metro East's largest city, with a traditional Main Street and Illinois-side regional identity.
The short version
Belleville is the St. Clair County seat and the largest city in the Metro East. It combines a traditional downtown and established neighborhoods with access to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois institutions and the St. Louis region.
What stands out
Belleville functions as a regional center rather than simply a distant St. Louis suburb. Main Street, county government, local institutions and established residential neighborhoods give it a self-contained identity, while MetroLink and major roads connect it to the rest of the region. A move to Belleville also means choosing the Illinois side of the metro, so state taxes, schools, commuting patterns and services belong in the relocation decision.
The essentials
At a glance
The local picture
A feel for Belleville
These local estimates and CityHub editorial ratings are for comparison and orientation. They are not verified statistics or current prices.
Local snapshot
Best for & local character
People considering a full Illinois-side lifestylePeople wanting a self-contained Metro East city with regional connectionsMetro EastHistoricSuburbanDowntown
Highlights
- 2025 Census population estimate of 40,237
- 60.1% owner-occupied housing rate and $141,300 median owner-occupied value
- $63,535 median household income and 25.1-minute mean commute
- Traditional Main Street, city and county institutions, and established neighborhoods
- Illinois-side location with MetroLink access and a distinct Metro East identity
How it scores
CityHub estimates, not official scores. Some ratings are generated from community characteristics.
Walkability · modeled62
Transit · modeled68
School context · modeled58
Nightlife & dining · modeled62
Parks & outdoors · modeled66
Arts & culture · modeled65
Quiet & peaceful · modeled62
The decision brief
Is Belleville a good fit?
What stands out
Belleville offers a full Illinois-side city with its own services and regional connections. It can suit a household whose work and daily life are mainly east of the river; compare neighborhoods for the actual routine you want.
Things to check
Missouri-side commuting is bridge-dependent
Route 15, Illinois 159 and MetroLink offer different paths, while Missouri-side trips involve bridge crossings. Test your exact commute at the hour you need it and verify the property's school and tax districts.
Does this fit your actual move?
Compare Belleville against your budget, commute, and priorities—or ask about a specific address.
Homes & housing
What does housing cost here?
Published Census estimates provide broad context where a reliable community-level figure is available. Check current homes or rentals for actual prices.
Owner-occupied homes
60.1%
The share of occupied homes lived in by their owners.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
Median gross rent
$1,019/mo
Useful renter context—not a substitute for current available rentals.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
Price is only part of the monthly payment
For a specific home, also account for the interest rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and condition. That’s why two homes with the same price tag can still cost very different amounts every month.
Plan the daily trip
Commute & getting around
Illinois Route 15, Illinois 159, I-64 connections, and MetroLink shape regional access. Missouri-side commutes require bridge crossings, so test the trip at the intended time.
Schools
Which schools serve this address?
The address—not the city name—determines the schools
Belleville District 118 is one of the city’s elementary systems, while other elementary districts serve additional portions of Belleville. The secondary layer is separate: Belleville Township High School District 201 operates Belleville East and Belleville West. For any home, identify both the elementary district and the District 201 high-school assignment; a city name or ZIP code does not describe the full K–12 path.
1
Identify the district
Start with the property’s complete street address.
2
Check the boundary tool
Use the district’s official address or attendance lookup.
3
Confirm before deciding
Ask the district to verify the current assignment and enrollment details.
Illinois school district finder
Search by address to identify a district; the district must confirm the specific school assignment.
Official school and district resources
How people spend free time
Parks & recreation
The city’s parks and recreation system, including larger community parks and sports facilities, supports local use; the exact side of Belleville determines which facilities are practical.
Errands, routines & convenience
Everyday life
Main Street, regional corridors, county offices, hospitals, and nearby MetroLink give Belleville a self-contained service base uncommon in smaller Metro East suburbs.
Direct answers for movers
Questions about moving to Belleville
What is it like to live in Belleville?+
Belleville functions as a regional center rather than simply a distant St. Louis suburb. Main Street, county government, local institutions and established residential neighborhoods give it a self-contained identity, while MetroLink and major roads connect it to the rest of the region. A move to Belleville also means choosing the Illinois side of the metro, so state taxes, schools, commuting patterns and services belong in the relocation decision. People considering a full Illinois-side lifestyle; People wanting a self-contained Metro East city with regional connections.
What should I know about housing costs in Belleville?+
The published median value of owner-occupied homes (data as of 2024-12-31) is $141,300 in Belleville. That describes existing homes in a survey period, not current listings or the homes available within your budget. Compare actual properties and their condition.
SourceWhat should movers know about schools in Belleville?+
Belleville District 118 is one of the city’s elementary systems, while other elementary districts serve additional portions of Belleville. The secondary layer is separate: Belleville Township High School District 201 operates Belleville East and Belleville West. For any home, identify both the elementary district and the District 201 high-school assignment; a city name or ZIP code does not describe the full K–12 path. Confirm the current school assignment and enrollment rules directly with the district for the specific address.
Use the Illinois district finderWhat is commuting from Belleville like?+
Illinois Route 15, Illinois 159, I-64 connections, and MetroLink shape regional access. Missouri-side commutes require bridge crossings, so test the trip at the intended time.
What costs should I consider before moving to Belleville?+
The published median gross rent (data as of 2024-12-31) is $1,019/month in Belleville. This is a survey measure, not a current rental quote. Check current offers, utilities, insurance and travel costs for the exact home.
SourceWhat should I verify before choosing a home in Belleville?+
Route 15, Illinois 159 and MetroLink offer different paths, while Missouri-side trips involve bridge crossings. Test your exact commute at the hour you need it and verify the property's school and tax districts. Belleville Parks & Recreation is one documented local destination; check the route and current access from the home you are considering. Confirm school assignment, property condition and recurring costs for the exact address.
Keep narrowing the decision
Put Belleville in context.
The community guide tells you about this place. These guides help answer whether this is the right kind of place for your move.
If walkability matters
See how Belleville fits into a broader St. Louis walkability search.
Read guideIf parks and outdoor access matter
Compare Belleville with other places where outdoor access can shape the routine.
Read guideIf restaurants and nightlife matter
Put Belleville in context with other areas where going out is part of daily life.
Read guideUnderstand the geography
Map of Belleville
See where Belleville sits in the St. Louis region, then open named local places for directions and surrounding context.
Mapped places in this guide
6 verified locationsEmma Kunz House602 Fulton St, Belleville, IL 62220Heritage Square705 E Washington Ave, Belleville, IL 62220Labor & Industry Museum123 N Church St, Belleville, IL 62220Belleville Public Library — Main Library121 E Washington St, Belleville, IL 62220Belleville Parks & Recreation510 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62220Belleville City Hall101 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL 62220
This map is for orientation. Confirm municipal, school, floodplain, and parcel boundaries with the appropriate official source.
Around town
Places to know
Parks, civic resources, recreation, and recognizable destinations that help explain everyday life in Belleville.
Family destinations
1 placelibrary
Belleville Public Library — Main Library
Belleville's main public-library branch with collections, programs, services and public technology.
121 E Washington St, Belleville, IL 62220
Official details Things to do
3 placeshistoric house
Emma Kunz House
A historic Belleville house maintained by the St. Clair County Historical Society, with tours by appointment.
602 Fulton St, Belleville, IL 62220
Official details historic site
Heritage Square
The St. Clair County Historical Society campus housing the Victorian House Museum and Daphne Sumner History Discovery Center.
705 E Washington Ave, Belleville, IL 62220
Official details museum
Labor & Industry Museum
A museum devoted to the labor and industrial history of Belleville and southwestern Illinois.
123 N Church St, Belleville, IL 62220
Official details Civic & everyday
2 placesrecreation administration
Belleville Parks & Recreation
The city's parks and recreation administration building and program contact point.
510 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62220
Official details government
Belleville City Hall
Belleville's municipal offices and main city-service contact point.
101 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL 62220
Official details Don’t choose in a vacuum
Compare nearby alternatives
St. Charles
Compare for a Missouri-side historic center with different taxes and commute geography.
Open community guideEdwardsville
Compare for a university influence and Madison County location.
Open community guideO'Fallon, Illinois
Compare for newer suburban development and stronger Scott Air Force Base orientation.
Open community guideCompare Belleville with another community
Sources, dates & how we got here7 sources · expand
CityHub separates sourced facts from editorial guidance. Official data may describe different time periods; each fact shows its represented date when available.
Belleville School District 118Belleville District 118Reviewed 2026-09-21Belleville Township High School District 201Belleville THSD 201Reviewed 2026-09-21St. Clair County Historical SocietySt. Clair County Historical SocietyReviewed 2026-09-21Labor & Industry MuseumLabor & Industry MuseumReviewed 2026-09-21City of BellevilleCity of BellevilleReviewed 2026-09-21City of BellevilleCity of BellevilleReviewed 2026-09-20U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts — BellevilleU.S. Census BureauReviewed 2026-09-21