Is East Moline Safe, Pros and cons of living in East Moline
East Moline, Illinois, offers a blend of suburban living with access to urban amenities, situated in the Quad Cities region along the Mississippi River. The city provides a diverse range of housing options and a community atmosphere that attracts families and individuals alike. Understanding the various facets of life in East Moline, from safety and cost of living to employment and education, is crucial for anyone considering a move to this Midwestern locale.
This article delves into the key aspects of living in East Moline, providing a comprehensive overview to help prospective residents make an informed decision. We will explore the city’s safety, economic landscape, climate, educational institutions, and demographic makeup, offering insights into what makes East Moline a unique place to call home.
Is it Safe to Live in East Moline?
East Moline’s overall crime rate is reported to be 26% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This translates to approximately 1.51 daily occurrences, including both violent and property crimes. While the city’s crime rate is higher than the national average, it is considered safer than 47% of U.S. cities (according to East Moline, IL Safety, Crime & Safety Score). Residents generally perceive the northeast part of the city as the safest area, with chances of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 30 in the west to 1 in 50 in the northeast (according to East Moline, IL Crime Maps and Statistics).
When examining crime statistics, violent crimes in East Moline are 12% lower than the national average, with 315 reported violent crimes per 100,000 individuals (according to East Moline, IL Crime Rates and Statistics). However, property crimes are 33.8% higher than the U.S. average, amounting to 2,355 per 100,000 residents (according to East Moline, IL Crime Rates and Statistics). The chance of being a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 318, while the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 43, making the overall chance of being a victim of crime in East Moline 1 in 38 (according to East Moline, IL Crime Maps and Statistics).
Cost of Living in East Moline
The cost of living in East Moline is approximately 4% lower than the U.S. national average and 13% lower than Illinois’s state average (according to Salary.com). This reflects a slight increase from the previous year, with primary drivers being housing, transportation, and food costs. The cost of living index in East Moline is calculated based on food, transportation, health services, rent, utilities, taxes, and miscellaneous expenses (according to ERI Economic Research Institute).
Housing costs in East Moline are notably lower than the national average, at 39.7% less, with a monthly expense of $723 for a single person and $1,326 for a family of four (according to Salary.com). Food expenses are about 3.0% above average, while energy, transportation, and healthcare costs are 5.5% lower than the national average (according to Salary.com). Overall monthly expenses for a single person are approximately $1,962, and for a family of four, they are around $4,525, positioning East Moline as one of America’s less expensive cities (according to Salary.com).
Housing Market Trends
The East Moline housing market presents a moderate entry point for buyers, with a median listing price of $125,900 (according to East Moline, IL Housing Market & Rental Trends). Homes are spending more time on the market, with the median days on market increasing by 2.63% year-over-year, suggesting a slightly slower pace for sellers (according to East Moline, IL Housing Market & Rental Trends). The median sale price of a home in East Moline was $220,000 in March 2026, an increase of 79.4% compared to the previous year (according to East Moline Housing Market: House Prices & Trends).
Rental prices in East Moline are also more affordable than the national average. As of April 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types is $1,099, which is 43% lower than the national average (according to East Moline, IL Average Rent). Houses for rent in East Moline have an average monthly cost of $1,400, while apartments average around $877 for a one-bedroom and $1,098 for a two-bedroom unit (according to East Moline, IL Average Rent and Apartments.com).
Job Market and Economy
The economy of East Moline employs approximately 8,850 residents, with the largest industries being manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, and retail trade (according to East Moline, IL Data USA). From 2023 to 2024, employment in the city saw a slight decline of -1.91% (according to East Moline, IL Data USA). The most common job groups include office and administrative support, production, and material moving occupations (according to East Moline, IL Data USA).
The unemployment rate in East Moline stands at 3.4% (according to East Moline, IL Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The average annual salary in East Moline is approximately $43,025, with most salaries ranging between $31,305 and $52,103 (according to ZipRecruiter). However, other sources report a higher average salary of $64,648 per year or $31 per hour (according to ERI SalaryExpert). The median household income in East Moline was $61,779 in 2024, which is below the Illinois state median (according to East Moline, IL Demographics: Population, Income, and More and East Moline Authority).
Major Employers
Key employers in East Moline include John Deere Harvester Works, which has been a significant employer since 1913 and is known as the largest facility of its kind globally (according to East Moline Authority). Other major employers contributing to the local economy are Illini Hospital, East Moline Elementary School, and the East Moline Correctional Center (according to East Moline, IL Wikipedia).
Companies like Walmart, McDonald’s, and FedEx also have a presence in East Moline, providing a range of employment opportunities across various sectors (according to East Moline, IL Companies). The manufacturing sector, particularly in farm implement production, has historically been strong, though the city’s economic landscape has evolved to include retail, recreation, and entertainment (according to East Moline Authority).
Climate and Weather
East Moline experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters, with conditions being partly cloudy year-round (according to East Moline Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Illinois, United States)). Temperatures typically range from 16°F to 85°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below -4°F or exceeding 93°F (according to East Moline Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Illinois, United States)). The hot season lasts from late May to late September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 85°F and a low of 66°F (according to East Moline Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Illinois, United States)).
The cold season spans from late November to early March, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 17°F and a high of 31°F (according to East Moline Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Illinois, United States)). Annual precipitation averages around 38 inches, with June receiving the most rainfall and January receiving the least (according to East Moline Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Illinois, United States) and myPerfectWeather). The city also receives an average of 32 inches of snowfall annually (according to myPerfectWeather).
Education in East Moline
East Moline is served by three elementary school districts: East Moline School District 37, Carbon Cliff-Barstow School District 36, and Silvis School District 34. These districts are part of the United Township High School District 30, with a small portion of the city belonging to Riverdale Community Unit School District 100 (according to East Moline, IL Wikipedia).
East Moline School District No. 37, which serves PK-8 students, has a C-minus overall Niche grade. According to state test scores, only 14% of students are proficient in math and 19% in reading (according to East Moline School District No. 37 – Illinois – Niche). United Township High School, serving grades 9-12, ranks 500th out of 698 high schools in Illinois (according to SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics of East Moline
As of the most recent data, East Moline has a population of 20,904 residents (according to East Moline, IL Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The population is fairly evenly split between males (46.9%) and females (53.1%) (according to East Moline, IL Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The median age in East Moline is 39 years old, with a distribution across age groups including children, working-age adults, and seniors (according to East Moline, IL Demographics: Population, Income, and More).
The racial makeup of East Moline includes approximately 53% White, 21% African American, and 17% Hispanic residents, with smaller percentages of those identifying with two or more races or Asian heritage (according to East Moline Demographics | Current Illinois Census Data and East Moline Demographics | Niche). The majority of residents are U.S.-born citizens, with a smaller percentage being naturalized citizens or non-citizens (according to East Moline, IL Demographics: Population, Income, and More).