Cost of Living in Illinois
Based on 3 cities we track in Illinois.
Cost of living in Illinois is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,258 a month — 20% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $90,109, 34% higher than the $67,043 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
$90,109
Avg Temperature
49.9°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
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Illinois cost of living — FAQ
- Is Illinois expensive to live in?
- Illinois is among the most expensive of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,258 ranks #12 of 51 and is 20% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Illinois?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Illinois, average rent runs a studio around $1,186, a one-bedroom around $1,258, a two-bedroom around $1,550, a three-bedroom around $1,797 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 — 10% higher than the $287,500 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 $90,109.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).