Cost of Living in Illinois

By Jamie Cattanach

(Last Updated – 07/2026)

From the bright lights and big cities to the endless waving seas of agricultural fields, Illinois truly has something for everybody, which is why more than 12.7 million people live there. That makes it the sixth most populous state in the nation, with Chicago alone home to more than 2.7 million residents.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Illinois?

Average Cost of Living in Illinois: $60,612 per year

Illinois is beautiful, diverse, and full of friendly faces and delicious food, but is it affordable to live in? Good news, Midwesterners: According to most accounts, the answer is yes. Illinois enjoyed the 24th lowest cost of living in the United States for 2025, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates personal expenditures by state, and on average, an Illinois resident spends $60,612 per year, as per the bureau’s 2024 data. Here’s how that figure breaks down into different basic expense categories:

Read on to take a closer look at each of these categories, as well as a few others.

Housing Costs in Illinois

Average Housing Costs in Illinois: $1,169 to $1,699 per month

For many Americans, housing is the single largest cost they face. Mortgage or rent payments represent a significant chunk of the monthly budget.

But housing is one of those costs that really depends on where you’re living: not only which state but also which city.

According to May 2026 data from Zillow, the typical home value in Illinois is $294,136. Redfin puts the median sale price at $333,814. Those figures are significantly lower than the average U.S. existing-home sale price of $370,320 for May 2026, according to Zillow.

Furthermore, the state’s averages are boosted by the cost of housing in major cities such as Chicago. Until recently, many Illinois population centers boasted typical home prices that were five digits rather than six digits long. (As of mid-2026, only two cities do.) But even Chicago homes are fairly affordable, especially for a large U.S. city.

Here are the typical home values in a variety of Illinois cities, according to April 2026 data from Zillow:

So how does that break down on a by-month basis? Here are the median mortgage and rent prices in Illinois, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau:

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,987

•  Median studio rent: $1,201

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $1,169

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $1,333

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,484

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $1,699

•  Median five-bedroom (or more) rent: $1,595

•  Median gross rent: $1,322

Utility Costs in Illinois

Average Utility Costs in Illinois: $404 per month

Roof over your head? Check. Now for the electricity, water, gas, and internet connection that make it livable.

While individual utility costs vary — people use different amounts of each service, depending on their lifestyles — here are some averages to help you estimate how much you might stand to spend monthly on utilities in Illinois:

Groceries & Beverage Spending

Average Grocery & Beverage Costs in Illinois: $346 per person, per month

There’s so much more to Illinois cuisine than corn — or even Chicago-style hot dogs and pizza. But how much does it cost to feed yourself and your family in the Prairie State?

Per the Bureau of Economic Analysis figures above, the average Illinois resident spends $4,152 per year on nonrestaurant food and beverages, which works out to about $346 per person, per month. That would mean about $692 per month for a married couple, or $1,384 per month for a family of four, but do keep in mind that this average doesn’t take into account the fact that children eat less than adults or even that some adults eat less than others.

Location also matters, though. The Council for Community and Economic Research regularly updates its cost-of-living index for major American metro areas and includes data on grocery costs specifically. Here’s how some major Illinois cities stack up when it comes to how much you might expect to pay at the grocery store, per its 2025 data:

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Illinois: $8,301 to $15,589 per year

Chicago is well known (and loved) for its fast and friendly public transportation options. But even in the big city, a lot of residents depend on private vehicles to travel, and no matter how you get around, you’ll pay for it somehow.

While a family’s specific travel costs can range widely depending on their lifestyles, MIT’s Living Wage Calculator offers some great insights into how much you might expect to pay on transportation costs each year, based on its February 2026 data:

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in Illinois: $9,895 per person, per year

Drawing on the same Bureau of Economic Analysis data used in the initial expenditure breakdown above, the average Illinois resident spends $9,895 per year on health care, or about $824.58 per month, per person.

Of course, if you’ve got kids running and jumping around the playground or consider yourself a sports aficionado, you may stand to spend more than that. Conversely, if you eat well, exercise, and aren’t very accident-prone, you may spend less, all depending on your health care coverage.

Child Care

Average Child-Care Costs in Illinois: $917 to $1,113 per child, per month

Taking care of the kiddos: It’s some of the best work there is, but it sure is work, and when you’ve got another job to do, you usually have to pay someone else to do it.

Child care isn’t cheap anywhere, though costs do vary depending on where you are. CostofChildCare.org offers some great averages for how much you might expect to pay in Illinois (and elsewhere), depending on how many children you have and what kind of care scenario you’re after:

Sound expensive? The Illinois Department of Human Services offers resources for lower-income families to help match them with affordable child care throughout the state.

Taxes

State Income Tax Rate in Illinois: 4.95%

Illinois, unlike many other U.S. states, levies its income tax at a single rate, so all eligible earners living in Illinois pay the same rate, regardless of income level.

The good news is, per the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2026, that tax rate is a relatively low 4.95%. While it’s not the lowest in the country (which hovers in the 2%-3% range, aside from the eight states that levy no state income tax at all), it’s much lower than neighboring Wisconsin’s 7.65%.

Miscellaneous Costs

Once all the basics are taken care of, it’s time to have some fun. If Illinois residents spend an average of $35,809 on nonessential personal expenditures, where might some of that money be going? (Prices accurate as of June 2026)

•  Tickets to see a Chicago Cubs home game at Wrigley Field: Starting under $25, according to SeatGeek, but could cost hundreds from third-party vendors close to game time.

•  Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago, a renowned museum founded by a group of artists all the way back in 1879: Start at $27 for adults who are Illinois residents ($20 for Chicagoans), but non-Illinois visitors will pay $32. (Kids aged 13 and younger are always free.)

•  A regular beef from Al’s #1 Italian Beef, which has been serving the goods from its location on Taylor Street since 1938:x $11.25 (cash only) (dipped, regular, or dry, but with no extras)

The good news is there’s plenty of free stuff to do in Illinois. For starters, every single one of its many glorious state parks is free to enter, though there may be fees to camp. Additionally, tours of the Lincoln Home in Springfield are free (first-come, first-served). And of course, Chicago is known for its many public parks, events, and art exhibits, including Cloud Gate, popularly known as The Bean, which is free to walk up to and admire in Millennium Park.

Recommended: What Are the Average Monthly Expenses for One Person?

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Illinois?

Obviously, definitions of “comfortable” vary. What might feel cushy to one person could feel belt-tightening to another.

That said, all things considered, Illinois is one of the more affordable states to live in based on a variety of different figures. As mentioned, MERIC puts it in the 24th position on its cost-of-living ranking, and while U.S. News and World Report sets the state at 32nd on its Affordability Ranking.

Again, where exactly you decide to hang your hat in Illinois could make a big difference.

What Major City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Illinois?

Even as a relatively affordable state overall, you can stack the odds in your favor by opting for one of the lowest-cost cities in Illinois. The Council for Community and Economic Research, which was cited above when parsing grocery costs, also ranks metro areas by overall cost of living.

Here are the three least expensive Illinois cities on its list as of 2025.

Decatur

Decatur is the largest city in Macon County, with a population of almost 70,000. It has a cost-of-living index of 79.9 (For comparison, Chicago’s is 117.6). Only about 45 minutes east of Springfield, Decatur offers all of its own attractions — such as the Scovill Zoo and Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum — within easy reach of the nearby capital city, and at a fraction of the price.

Kankakee

An anchor city in the rural exurbs of Chicago, Kankakee has a cost-of-living index score of 86.9, and also boasts the lowest housing index in the state at 65.9. With a population of just over 24,000, it’s certainly not a big city, but it packs a punch in charm: The Kankakee River offers great fishing conditions at many of its 13 riverfront parks, as well as a 72-boat slip marina. The eponymous dam generates power for the area, which is served by the Greater Kankakee airport and an Amtrak station.

Joliet

Founded on the Des Plaines River as a steel mill town, Joliet later became the first major city outside of Chicago on the famous Route 66. Today, Joliet’s population of 150,000 makes it the third most populous city in Illinois, but it may be best known as the home of decommissioned Old Joliet Prison, which has been featured in several films, including The Blues Brothers. Joliet’s cost-of-living index score is 91.1, and the median home sale price here is well below the U.S average at $275,000, per April 2026 Zillow data.

FAQ

Is it expensive to live in Illinois?

Illinois is generally considered an affordable place to live, with the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center ranking it as the 24th lowest cost-of-living state in the U.S. for 2025. While costs can vary by location and lifestyle, the state offers a moderate cost of living compared to many other parts of the country.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Illinois?

Definitions of “comfortable” vary by person, but the average Illinois resident spends approximately $60,612 per year on personal expenditures. This accounts for various needs, including housing, health care, and food, though individual expenses heavily depend on personal habits and where you live in the state.

What’s the cheapest place to live in Illinois?

Decatur is currently ranked as one of the least expensive cities in Illinois, with a cost of living index of 79.9. Other affordable options in the state include Kankakee and Joliet, which also offer lower overall costs compared to larger urban areas, such as Chicago.