According to the Zillow Home Value Index, these 25 towns offer the lowest home values in the state as of January 2025. While the average home price in Illinois exceeds $220,000, these communities offer dramatically more affordable options, with some homes available for under $30,000.
You’ll find that many of these towns are located in southern Illinois, particularly in counties near the St. Louis metropolitan area. Interestingly, while some towns have seen dramatic value increases of more than 60% since 2020, others have experienced declining values—demonstrating how hyperlocal real estate markets can be, even within the same state.
If you’re considering relocating or investing in Illinois real estate, these communities represent the most affordable entry points into homeownership. However, keep in mind that lower home values may reflect economic challenges in these areas, including limited job opportunities or declining populations.
1. Pocahontas
- 2025 Home Value: $71,467
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Rounding out our list, Pocahontas in Bond County offers you homes averaging just under $71,500. While historical data isn’t available to track value changes, this small community in the St. Louis metropolitan area provides affordable housing options compared to most areas in Illinois. The town’s location provides a rural setting while maintaining reasonable access to urban amenities in the broader St. Louis region.
2. Witt
- 2025 Home Value: $70,940
- 2020 Home Value: $67,120
- 2015 Home Value: $62,943
- 2010 Home Value: $65,563
- Change from 2010 to 2025: 8.20%
- Change from 2015 to 2025: 12.70%
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 5.69%
Also in Montgomery County not far from Nokomis, Witt has experienced modest but steady growth in your potential home values, with an increase of 5.69% since 2020 and over 8% since 2010. Average home prices now sit just under $71,000.
3. Nokomis
- 2025 Home Value: $70,537
- 2020 Home Value: $64,253
- 2015 Home Value: $51,700
- 2010 Home Value: $48,530
- Change from 2010 to 2025: 45.35%
- Change from 2015 to 2025: 36.44%
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 9.78%
In Montgomery County in central Illinois, Nokomis has seen your property values steadily appreciate over the past fifteen years, with a total increase of more than 45% since 2010. Recent growth has moderated to about 10% since 2020, with average home values now exceeding $70,500.
4. Benld
- 2025 Home Value: $68,834
- 2020 Home Value: $48,721
- 2015 Home Value: $46,776
- 2010 Home Value: $66,769
- Change from 2010 to 2025: 3.09%
- Change from 2015 to 2025: 47.16%
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 41.28%
The uniquely named community of Benld (formed from the name of founder Benjamin L. Dorsey) in Macoupin County shows an interesting value pattern, with your potential home values dropping significantly after 2010 before rebounding strongly. Since 2020, values have increased over 41% to reach nearly $69,000.
5. Sheldon
- 2025 Home Value: $67,714
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
In the northeastern part of Illinois in Iroquois County, Sheldon offers you homes averaging just under $68,000. While historical data isn’t available to track value changes, this rural community near the Indiana border provides affordable housing options with a different geographical context than many others on this list.
6. Hull
- 2025 Home Value: $66,829
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Tucked away in Pike County along the Mississippi River in western Illinois, Hull offers you homes averaging just under $67,000. While historical data isn’t available to track value changes, this small rural community provides affordable living in a picturesque river setting.
7. Grayville
- 2025 Home Value: $65,192
- 2020 Home Value: $69,100
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: -5.65%
Uniquely straddling the border of White and Edwards counties in southeastern Illinois, Grayville has seen your home values decline by 5.65% since 2020, with average prices now around $65,200. This small community outside major metropolitan areas offers rural living at affordable price points. The recent value decrease runs counter to many markets across the country, potentially offering buying opportunities.
8. Tilton
- 2025 Home Value: $64,700
- 2020 Home Value: $45,922
- 2015 Home Value: $43,561
- 2010 Home Value: $31,817
- Change from 2010 to 2025: 103.35%
- Change from 2015 to 2025: 48.53%
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 40.89%
The village of Tilton in Vermilion County has seen your potential property values more than double since 2010, with an impressive 40.89% growth just since 2020. Despite this remarkable appreciation, homes remain affordable at around $64,700 on average.
9. Mounds
- 2025 Home Value: $63,869
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Nestled in Pulaski County in southern Illinois, Mounds offers you homes averaging just under $64,000. Named for nearby Native American mounds, this small community in the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area provides affordable housing options without historical data to track value changes.
10. Christopher
- 2025 Home Value: $63,719
- 2020 Home Value: $70,519
- 2015 Home Value: $71,084
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: -10.36%
- Change from 2020 to 2025: -9.64%
Located in Franklin County in southern Illinois, Christopher has experienced a notable decline in your potential home values, with prices dropping over 10% since 2015. Now averaging around $64,000, homes here are still among the most affordable in the state despite the downward trend.
11. Fairmont City
- 2025 Home Value: $63,126
- 2020 Home Value: $61,081
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 3.35%
With a vibrant Hispanic community in Saint Clair County, Fairmont City has experienced modest growth of 3.35% since 2020, with your average home value now sitting at just over $63,000.
12. Meredosia
- 2025 Home Value: $62,803
- 2020 Home Value: $61,281
- 2015 Home Value: $55,492
- 2010 Home Value: $43,975
- Change from 2010 to 2025: 42.82%
- Change from 2015 to 2025: 13.17%
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 2.48%
Situated along the Illinois River in Morgan County, Meredosia has seen your property values steadily increase over the years, with a total appreciation of nearly 43% since 2010. The growth has slowed recently, with just a 2.48% increase since 2020, leading to average home values of around $63,000.
13. Sandoval
- 2025 Home Value: $62,369
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Located in Marion County within the Centralia metropolitan area, Sandoval offers you homes averaging just over $62,000. While historical data isn’t available to track price trends, this small community represents one of Illinois’ most affordable housing markets.
14. East Cape Girardeau
- 2025 Home Value: $59,157
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Situated along the Mississippi River in Alexander County directly across from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this small village offers you homes at just under $60,000. While historical data isn’t available to track value changes, East Cape Girardeau provides affordable living with easy access to the larger amenities of Cape Girardeau across the river.
15. Central City
- 2025 Home Value: $59,121
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Adjacent to the city of Centralia spanning Marion and Clinton counties, Central City offers you homes averaging just under $60,000. This small community in the Centralia metropolitan area provides affordable housing options without historical data to track value changes.
16. Cahokia
- 2025 Home Value: $52,029
- 2020 Home Value: $40,410
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 28.75%
Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Cahokia Mounds, this town in Saint Clair County has seen your potential property value increase by nearly 29% since 2020. Despite this substantial growth, homes remain affordable at just over $52,000 on average.
17. Zeigler
- 2025 Home Value: $49,216
- 2020 Home Value: $50,770
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: -3.06%
With deep coal mining roots in Franklin County, Zeigler has experienced a modest decline in home values since 2020, with prices dropping about 3%. Your average home here costs just under $50,000, placing it among Illinois’ most affordable communities.
18. Madison
- 2025 Home Value: $47,046
- 2020 Home Value: $29,113
- 2015 Home Value: $23,707
- 2010 Home Value: $24,944
- Change from 2010 to 2025: 88.61%
- Change from 2015 to 2025: 98.44%
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 61.60%
The industrial town of Madison in Madison County shows the most dramatic growth in our list, with your potential home value nearly doubling in a decade. The impressive 61.60% growth since 2020 leads all communities in our analysis, suggesting increasing demand despite still-affordable prices averaging just over $47,000.
19. Sorento
- 2025 Home Value: $46,021
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Nestled in Bond County within the wider St. Louis metropolitan region, Sorento offers you homes averaging just over $46,000. This small rural community provides a quieter lifestyle while still maintaining reasonable access to larger urban centers. While historical data isn’t available to track value changes, Sorento represents one of Illinois’ most affordable communities.
20. Centreville
- 2025 Home Value: $43,446
- 2020 Home Value: $44,061
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: -1.40%
In the St. Louis metropolitan area in Saint Clair County, you’ll find Centreville where home values have slightly decreased by 1.4% since 2020. Your average home price here sits at just over $43,000, making it extremely affordable compared to state and national averages.
21. Wamac
- 2025 Home Value: $36,694
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Named from the first letters of Washington, Marion, and Clinton counties, Wamac is uniquely positioned where these three counties meet. Your home value here averages just under $37,000, making it the fifth most affordable town in Illinois.
22. East Saint Louis
- 2025 Home Value: $35,822
- 2020 Home Value: $35,672
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 0.42%
Just across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Louis, East Saint Louis offers you home values that have remained remarkably stable, increasing less than half a percent over five years. At just under $36,000, housing here is among the most affordable in the state.
23. Washington Park
- 2025 Home Value: $31,266
- 2020 Home Value: $37,846
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: -17.39%
In Saint Clair County, not far from East St. Louis, you’ll find Washington Park where home values have actually decreased by over 17% since 2020. This significant decline stands in stark contrast to most housing markets across the country. Your dollar stretches further here than almost anywhere else in Illinois, with average home values just above $31,000.
24. Venice
- 2025 Home Value: $30,940
- 2020 Home Value: $22,868
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: 35.30%
Located in Madison County within the St. Louis metropolitan area, Venice has seen your potential home value increase by over 35% in just five years. Despite this impressive growth, housing remains extremely affordable at just under $31,000 in 2025.
25. Cairo
- 2025 Home Value: $29,898
- 2020 Home Value: N/A
- 2015 Home Value: N/A
- 2010 Home Value: N/A
- Change from 2010 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2015 to 2025: N/A
- Change from 2020 to 2025: N/A
Situated at the southern tip of Illinois where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet, Cairo offers you the most affordable home values in the entire state at just under $30,000. Unfortunately, historical data for prior years isn’t available, making it difficult to track growth trends for this small community.
