Cost of Living in Illinois
Based on 1 city we track in Illinois.
Cost of living in Illinois is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,258 a month — 6% higher than the $1,191 median across the 28 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $75,134, 5% higher than the $71,716 median across the states we track. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
Median Home Value
$315,200
Median Income
$75,134
Avg Temperature
52.7°F
Medians across the Illinois cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6.25%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 4.95%
Cities in Illinois
Compare Illinois with
Illinois cost of living — FAQ
- Is Illinois expensive to live in?
- Illinois is on the pricier side of the 28 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,258 ranks #11 of 28 and is 6% higher than the $1,191 median.
- What is the average rent in Illinois?
- Across the 1 city we track in Illinois, average rent runs a studio around $1,186, a one-bedroom around $1,258, a two-bedroom around $1,406, a three-bedroom around $1,554 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Illinois?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Illinois is $315,200 — about the same as the $317,950 median across the states we track.
- Does Illinois have a state income tax?
- Yes — Illinois's top state income tax rate is 4.95% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 6.25%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Illinois?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,258 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Illinois is $75,134.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).