Cost of Living for Illinois (2026)
Illinois (IL) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
95
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$72,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$1,100/month
State Income Tax Rate
4.95%
How This Calculator Works in Illinois
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Illinois and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Illinois's cost of living index of 95 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Illinois Overview
Illinois has a cost of living index of 95, where 100 represents the national average. Chicago drives Illinois' above-average cost of living, particularly in housing and property taxes (which are among the highest in the nation). Downstate Illinois is significantly more affordable. The median household income is $72,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $75,789 in an average-cost location.
How Illinois Compares
Illinois's cost of living index of 95 compares to Indiana's 90 and Wisconsin's 93. Residents in Illinois benefit from lower costs compared to the national average, meaning salaries stretch further here. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 13% less than Illinois, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 102% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | COL Index: 90 | Indiana has a cost of living index of 90 and a median household income of $58,000. It is more affordable than Illinois. |
| Wisconsin | COL Index: 93 | Wisconsin has a cost of living index of 93 and a median household income of $64,000. It is more affordable than Illinois. |
| Iowa | COL Index: 89 | Iowa has a cost of living index of 89 and a median household income of $62,000. It is more affordable than Illinois. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Illinois's index of 95 is near the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Illinois's median household income of $72,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Illinois Residents
- 1Chicago drives Illinois' above-average cost of living, particularly in housing and property taxes (which are among the highest in the nation). Downstate Illinois is significantly more affordable.
- 2Illinois's median household income of $72,000 has a real purchasing power of about $75,789 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Illinois's top state income tax rate of 4.95% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Illinois between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.