Putnam County, Illinois Housing Market
In Putnam County, Illinois, the median home value is $172,700, with a median monthly rent of $851. This places Putnam County at #1747 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #26 within Illinois.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,533
- Establishments: 138
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 6
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 2,521 (avg $78,104)
- Outflow: 2,442 (avg $78,312)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📝 Editor's Insight
None
💰 Ready to Finance a Purchase?
See the 2026 FHA and conforming loan limits for Putnam County, plus monthly payment estimates at today's mortgage rates.
View Mortgage Guide for Putnam County →How Putnam County Compares
| Metric | Putnam County | Illinois Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $172,700 | $153,019 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $851 | $867 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 81.5% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 16.9 | 14.5 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Putnam County is 12.9% above the Illinois state average and 24.2% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $851/month is 1.8% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 16.9, the buy-vs-rent decision in Putnam County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Putnam County has an owner-occupancy rate of 81.5%, compared to 75.8% in Illinois and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas County | Kansas | $172,700 | $752 |
| Geary County | Kansas | $172,700 | $1,104 |
| Houston County | Tennessee | $172,700 | $735 |
| Iberville Parish | Louisiana | $172,800 | $827 |
| Crawford County | Missouri | $172,600 | $795 |
Other Counties in Illinois
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | $173,000 | $1,024 | 74.2% |
| Jersey County | $171,900 | $846 | 80.5% |
| Sangamon County | $176,300 | $983 | 71.3% |
| Tazewell County | $167,500 | $909 | 78.4% |
| St. Clair County | $180,300 | $1,090 | 68.4% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).