← All Cities
Retirement community in Galesburg, Illinois

Photo by Alberto Restifo on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@albertorestifo)

Galesburg, Illinois Retirement Guide

established retirement community
59

Retirement Score

Galesburg, Illinois at a Glance

Median Home Price
$86,500
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income (pensions, 401k, IRA) fully exempt.
Avg January Low
17.9°F
Cost of Living Index
101.2 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
59 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Galesburg, Illinois, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
101.2 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$42,346High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Galesburg's cost of living is 1.2000000000000028% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$86,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$679High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
59.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Galesburg using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$187

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$210

Median home price used: $86,500

Median rent reference: $679 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Galesburg, Illinois after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
39.3 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
39.3 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
58.1 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Galesburg scores 39.3 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Galesburg

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Galesburg

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income (pensions, 401k, IRA) fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Illinois has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
84°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Avg January Low
17.9°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Annual Precipitation
32.3"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Sunny Days / Year
286 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026

With 286 sunny days a year and an average January low of 17.9°F, Galesburg offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
92.3 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
46.1 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
2.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
29,923High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
41.6High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
22.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
7.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
19.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
75.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
12.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
8.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
1.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Galesburg

Is Galesburg, Illinois a good place to retire?

Galesburg, Illinois is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Galesburg, Illinois for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 101, roughly 1% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $86,500.

Does Illinois tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Illinois residents: State income tax; Social Security and retirement income (pensions, 401k, IRA) fully exempt.

What is the climate like in Galesburg, Illinois?

Galesburg, Illinois has January average low around 18°F, July average high around 84°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Galesburg, Illinois?

Galesburg scores 39/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a adequate score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Interested in Galesburg? Talk to a Local Expert.

State Preferences (select all that interest you)

Compare Galesburg with Top Alternatives

You Might Also Like