Median owner-occupied home value
$52,600
A broad benchmark for homes people own here—not a live asking price.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
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Complete relocation guide
Moving to East St. Louis
Urban riverfront city · housing, schools, commute, costs and everyday life
About this CityHub guideAn Illinois riverfront city with direct rail access, major infrastructure and unusually low citywide housing values.
The short version
East St. Louis sits immediately across the Mississippi from downtown St. Louis, with multiple MetroLink stations and regional highway access. Its low citywide housing values come with substantial property-condition, service, insurance and block-level due-diligence needs.
What stands out
East St. Louis had an estimated 17,682 residents in 2025 across 13.92 square miles. The city includes a riverfront, rail and highway infrastructure, a civic core, industrial land and residential areas shaped by long-term population loss.
What to understand
Proximity to downtown St. Louis and transit are meaningful advantages for some trips. The central tradeoff is that citywide affordability measures do not describe building condition, vacancy, title complexity, insurance availability, taxes, utilities or nearby parcel conditions; those must be investigated property by property.
The essentials
At a glance
The local picture
A feel for East St. Louis
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 needing direct Illinois-to-downtown transit optionsBuyers prepared for intensive property due diligenceResidents whose routines align with the riverfront and regional highway networkRiverfront infrastructureMetroLink servedHistoric urban fabricProperty-by-property variation
Highlights
- 17,682 residents in the 2025 Census estimate
- 60.7% owner-occupied housing, 2020–2024
- $52,600 median owner-occupied housing value, 2020–2024
- 23.3-minute mean travel time to work, 2020–2024
How it scores
CityHub estimates, not official scores. Some ratings are generated from community characteristics.
Walkability · modeled48
Transit · modeled63
School context · modeled58
Nightlife & dining · modeled48
Parks & outdoors · modeled58
Arts & culture · modeled46
Quiet & peaceful · modeled60
The decision brief
Is East St. Louis a good fit?
What stands out
The city sits directly across the Mississippi from downtown St. Louis, creating short-distance access for destinations near the river and central business district.
Multiple MetroLink stations and major highway connections provide alternatives that are unusual among similarly sized Metro East municipalities.
Things to check
Service and infrastructure variation
Municipal and private-service conditions can vary by location; verify utility status, road access, emergency-service context and planned public works.
Does this fit your actual move?
Compare East St. Louis 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
60.7%
The share of occupied homes lived in by their owners.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
Median gross rent
$847/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
Map the complete route
The Census mean commute was 23.3 minutes. Test station access, transfer time, parking and the final leg rather than judging only by straight-line distance.
Schools
Which schools serve this address?
The address—not the city name—determines the schools
East St. Louis School District 189 operates the city’s public-school system. Its directory includes Annette Officer, Dr. Katie Harper-Wright, James Avant and Paul Laurence Dunbar elementary schools; Lincoln and Mason/Clark middle schools; East St. Louis Senior High School; and Gordon Bush Alternative Center. The high school also offers career-and-technical education and qualified students can pursue full-time early-college study at Southwestern Illinois College.
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.
St. Louis City school search by address
Enter the exact City address, then confirm the result with the school or district.
Official school and district resources
How people spend free time
Parks & recreation
Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and the Gateway Geyser are riverfront anchors; the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center is a major community recreation facility.
Errands, routines & convenience
Everyday life
Daily services
Map groceries, healthcare, pharmacy, banking and other recurring needs from the exact address; availability is not evenly distributed.
Direct answers for movers
Questions about moving to East St. Louis
What is it like to live in East St. Louis?+
East St. Louis had an estimated 17,682 residents in 2025 across 13.92 square miles. The city includes a riverfront, rail and highway infrastructure, a civic core, industrial land and residential areas shaped by long-term population loss. Proximity to downtown St. Louis and transit are meaningful advantages for some trips. The central tradeoff is that citywide affordability measures do not describe building condition, vacancy, title complexity, insurance availability, taxes, utilities or nearby parcel conditions; those must be investigated property by property. The city may fit people prioritizing proximity or transit who have the time and expertise for property- and block-specific research.
What should I know about housing costs in East St. Louis?+
The published median value of owner-occupied homes (data as of 2024-12-31) is $52,600 in East St. Louis. 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 East St. Louis?+
East St. Louis School District 189 operates the city’s public-school system. Its directory includes Annette Officer, Dr. Katie Harper-Wright, James Avant and Paul Laurence Dunbar elementary schools; Lincoln and Mason/Clark middle schools; East St. Louis Senior High School; and Gordon Bush Alternative Center. The high school also offers career-and-technical education and qualified students can pursue full-time early-college study at Southwestern Illinois College. Confirm the current school assignment and enrollment rules directly with the district for the specific address.
Check St. Louis City school information by addressWhat is commuting from East St. Louis like?+
The Census mean commute was 23.3 minutes. Test station access, transfer time, parking and the final leg rather than judging only by straight-line distance.
What costs should I consider before moving to East St. Louis?+
The published median gross rent (data as of 2024-12-31) is $847/month in East St. Louis. 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 East St. Louis?+
Municipal and private-service conditions can vary by location; verify utility status, road access, emergency-service context and planned public works. Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park 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 East St. Louis 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.
St. Louis City or County?
Compare specific homes and routines instead of treating City vs. County as a reputation contest.
Read guideWhere should you live in St. Louis?
Start with the life you want and use that to narrow the region.
Read guideMore house for the money
Decide whether more space, a bigger lot, another bedroom or a lower payment is the real goal.
Read guideUnderstand the geography
Map of East St. Louis
See where East St. Louis sits in the St. Louis region, then open named local places for directions and surrounding context.
Mapped places in this guide
6 verified locationsKatherine Dunham Museum1005 Pennsylvania Ave, East St. Louis, IL 62201Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center101 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Cir, East St. Louis, IL 62204Gateway Geyser185 W Trendley Ave, East St. Louis, IL 62201Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park185 W Trendley Ave, East St. Louis, IL 62201East St. Louis Public Library530 N 6th St, East St. Louis, IL 62201East St. Louis City Hall301 River Park Dr, East St. Louis, IL 62201
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 East St. Louis.
Parks & outdoors
1 placeparks
Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
Riverfront park with views toward the Gateway Arch.
185 W Trendley Ave, East St. Louis, IL 62201
Official details Things to do
3 placesthings_to_do
Katherine Dunham Museum
Museum and cultural center associated with dancer and anthropologist Katherine Dunham.
1005 Pennsylvania Ave, East St. Louis, IL 62201
Official details things_to_do
Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center
Community, youth and athletics center founded in East St. Louis.
101 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Cir, East St. Louis, IL 62204
Official details things_to_do
Gateway Geyser
Riverfront fountain landmark within Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park.
185 W Trendley Ave, East St. Louis, IL 62201
Official details Civic & everyday
2 placesservices
East St. Louis Public Library
Public library serving East St. Louis residents.
530 N 6th St, East St. Louis, IL 62201
Official details services
East St. Louis City Hall
Municipal government center for East St. Louis.
301 River Park Dr, East St. Louis, IL 62201
Official details Don’t choose in a vacuum
Compare nearby alternatives
Compare Granite City
Granite City provides an older industrial-city pattern north of downtown with a different housing and service geography.
Compare Fairview Heights
Fairview Heights offers I‑64 access, regional retail and suburban subdivisions at higher citywide housing values.
Compare Belleville
Belleville offers a larger, more continuous downtown and broader retail/service base farther east.
Sources, dates & how we got here3 sources · expand
CityHub separates sourced facts from editorial guidance. Official data may describe different time periods; each fact shows its represented date when available.