Cost of Living in Illinois
Illinois has 87 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Rockford (cost index 90.2) to Elgin (102.5), with a statewide average around 99.4 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Galesburg at $801/mo and highest in Northbrook at $2,463/mo.
Illinois at a Glance
Cities Tracked
87
with census data
Avg Cost Index
99.4
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,454
per month
Avg Household Income
$95,598
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| # | City | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockford | 90.2 |
| 2 | Chicago | 102.5 |
| 3 | Naperville | 102.5 |
| 4 | Elgin | 102.5 |
Most Expensive
| # | City | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | 102.5 |
| 2 | Naperville | 102.5 |
| 3 | Elgin | 102.5 |
| 4 | Rockford | 90.2 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Popular Cities in Illinois
Explore Illinois Cities in Depth
Illinois Cities — Full Table
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| Chicago | 2,711,226 | 102.5 | $1,440 | $334,100 | $77,902 |
| Aurora | 179,898 | — | $1,596 | $274,800 | $93,633 |
| Naperville | 150,692 | 102.5 | $1,885 | $540,200 | $155,105 |
| Joliet | 150,445 | — | $1,276 | $265,800 | $92,201 |
| Rockford | 147,521 | 90.2 | $985 | $129,000 | $54,752 |
| Elgin | 114,934 | 102.5 | $1,361 | $273,000 | $90,282 |
| Springfield | 113,330 | — | $975 | $162,100 | $66,064 |
| Peoria | 112,169 | — | $1,005 | $156,200 | $59,410 |
| Champaign | 89,996 | — | $1,123 | $210,900 | $56,118 |
| Waukegan | 89,076 | — | $1,205 | $190,900 | $71,919 |
| Cicero | 82,797 | — | $1,154 | $249,400 | $70,842 |
| Bloomington | 78,907 | — | $1,050 | $203,300 | $77,384 |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | — | $1,812 | $330,400 | $97,514 |
| Evanston | 76,340 | — | $1,762 | $481,200 | $96,434 |
| Arlington Heights | 76,005 | — | $1,760 | $414,500 | $116,723 |
| Bolingbrook | 74,096 | — | $1,749 | $314,700 | $108,400 |
| Decatur | 69,815 | — | $845 | $99,600 | $51,592 |
| Palatine | 66,293 | — | $1,549 | $355,600 | $97,819 |
| Skokie | 66,219 | — | $1,552 | $387,200 | $95,337 |
| Des Plaines | 59,156 | — | $1,606 | $335,600 | $97,875 |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | — | $1,440 | $367,200 | $98,910 |
| Oak Lawn | 56,861 | — | $1,335 | $281,200 | $83,911 |
| Berwyn | 55,595 | — | $1,215 | $299,800 | $78,408 |
| Mount Prospect | 55,472 | — | $1,502 | $397,400 | $101,720 |
| Tinley Park | 54,842 | — | $1,495 | $299,900 | $105,189 |
| Normal | 53,569 | — | $965 | $213,600 | $64,785 |
| Wheaton | 53,557 | — | $1,799 | $455,700 | $120,008 |
| Oak Park | 53,292 | — | $1,593 | $465,500 | $110,820 |
| Hoffman Estates | 51,175 | — | $1,734 | $351,900 | $106,806 |
| Downers Grove | 50,054 | — | $1,656 | $449,800 | $115,114 |
| Glenview | 47,752 | — | $2,148 | $609,600 | $143,056 |
| Plainfield | 46,708 | — | $2,119 | $431,400 | $144,000 |
| Elmhurst | 45,671 | — | $1,975 | $545,400 | $149,644 |
| Lombard | 43,619 | — | $1,948 | $335,700 | $100,362 |
| Buffalo Grove | 42,891 | — | $2,037 | $412,300 | $129,395 |
| Moline | 42,197 | — | $900 | $146,300 | $67,701 |
| Belleville | 41,370 | — | $1,019 | $141,300 | $63,535 |
| Romeoville | 41,152 | — | $1,886 | $257,100 | $106,325 |
| Crystal Lake | 40,579 | — | $1,468 | $311,400 | $108,418 |
| Bartlett | 40,501 | — | $1,883 | $375,700 | $133,240 |
| DeKalb | 40,443 | — | $1,029 | $204,700 | $46,481 |
| Carol Stream | 39,460 | — | $1,529 | $335,000 | $102,309 |
| Urbana | 39,341 | — | $972 | $184,900 | $45,346 |
| Quincy | 39,109 | — | $837 | $153,200 | $56,480 |
| Streamwood | 39,001 | — | $1,809 | $271,200 | $101,218 |
| Park Ridge | 38,667 | — | $1,537 | $551,200 | $142,986 |
| Wheeling | 38,433 | — | $1,663 | $266,200 | $85,205 |
| Carpentersville | 37,346 | — | $1,414 | $234,100 | $86,917 |
| Hanover Park | 36,732 | — | $1,594 | $274,200 | $91,763 |
| Oswego | 36,375 | — | $1,860 | $344,500 | $123,792 |
| Rock Island | 36,151 | — | $842 | $125,900 | $59,041 |
| Addison | 35,489 | — | $1,245 | $341,300 | $90,431 |
| Calumet City | 35,100 | — | $1,177 | $145,200 | $55,369 |
| Northbrook | 34,585 | — | $2,463 | $652,300 | $157,782 |
| Woodridge | 33,941 | — | $1,494 | $363,700 | $101,000 |
| St. Charles | 32,854 | — | $1,819 | $377,400 | $114,300 |
| Glendale Heights | 32,808 | — | $1,590 | $261,700 | $86,545 |
| O'Fallon | 32,262 | — | $1,332 | $295,700 | $105,982 |
| Elk Grove Village | 31,987 | — | $1,618 | $347,100 | $94,175 |
| Mundelein | 31,915 | — | $1,566 | $309,700 | $108,340 |
| Pekin | 31,781 | — | $819 | $120,700 | $60,790 |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | — | $1,426 | $159,600 | $60,172 |
| Gurnee | 30,510 | — | $1,655 | $344,300 | $119,628 |
| Highland Park | 30,398 | — | $1,925 | $607,300 | $168,094 |
| Algonquin | 30,067 | — | $1,723 | $351,000 | $134,525 |
| Niles | 30,064 | — | $1,336 | $358,700 | $75,274 |
| Galesburg | 29,481 | — | $801 | $96,400 | $48,297 |
| Lake in the Hills | 28,800 | — | $1,689 | $321,900 | $117,151 |
| Burbank | 28,739 | — | $1,265 | $275,700 | $80,116 |
| Danville | 28,595 | — | $846 | $79,000 | $45,957 |
| Glen Ellyn | 28,390 | — | $1,433 | $544,000 | $140,938 |
| Lansing | 28,284 | — | $1,268 | $177,000 | $75,569 |
| McHenry | 28,074 | — | $1,553 | $266,500 | $86,315 |
| New Lenox | 28,006 | — | $1,431 | $399,900 | $140,865 |
| Huntley | 28,005 | — | $1,622 | $334,300 | $88,536 |
| Wilmette | 27,503 | — | $1,978 | $810,600 | $190,662 |
| Batavia | 27,151 | — | $1,347 | $387,400 | $120,056 |
| Round Lake Beach | 27,079 | — | $1,543 | $199,200 | $86,059 |
| Vernon Hills | 26,876 | — | $1,903 | $412,300 | $121,943 |
| Oak Forest | 26,805 | — | $1,328 | $255,100 | $91,990 |
| Chicago Heights | 26,736 | — | $1,038 | $161,000 | $54,798 |
| Granite City | 26,549 | — | $834 | $104,300 | $59,205 |
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | — | $1,306 | $299,800 | $86,721 |
| Lockport | 26,409 | — | $1,525 | $316,000 | $111,981 |
| Woodstock | 26,147 | — | $1,212 | $245,700 | $82,758 |
| West Chicago | 25,395 | — | $1,469 | $336,800 | $99,927 |
| Alton | 25,279 | — | $1,015 | $103,700 | $54,568 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Moving Guides Involving Illinois
Compare Illinois cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Illinois cities stack up across the US. For example, Chicago vs Aurora.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Illinois
What is the cost of living in Illinois?
The average cost of living index across cities in Illinois is approximately 99.4 (US average = 100), which is slightly below the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,454/month and median household income averages around $95,598/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Illinois?
The most affordable cities in Illinois by cost of living index are: 1. Rockford (index 90.2), 2. Chicago (index 102.5), 3. Naperville (index 102.5).
What is the median rent in Illinois?
The average median gross rent across cities in Illinois is approximately $1,454/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Illinois?
State income tax information for Illinois is not yet available in our database.
What is the sales tax in Illinois?
Sales tax information for Illinois is not yet available in our database.
Is it expensive to move to Illinois?
Illinois has a cost of living index of approximately 99.4 and average median rent around $1,454/month. It is generally more affordable than the US average, which can offset moving costs over time. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology