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Cost of living in Illinois

Everyday prices in Illinois run about the US average, the 33rd lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Illinois next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
IllinoisUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Illinois?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$93,270
Typical household incomeA year · 19th highest of 51
18%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,416/mo) against median income ($93,270). 18th lowest of 51.
3.5
Years of income to buy a home$324,950 median listing against $93,270 income. 5th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Illinois?

40,017 more people left Illinois for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Illinois

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Chicago-Naperville-Elgin4% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,648
    Typical home
    $389,450
    Mortgage
    $2,140/mo

Illinois next to its neighbors

The states that border Illinois, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 3Iowa12% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,049
    Typical home
    $284,900
    Net moves
    -970
  2. 12Kentucky10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,089
    Typical home
    $307,775
    Net moves
    +7,269
  3. 13Missouri9% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,121
    Typical home
    $300,000
    Net moves
    +14,028
  4. 18Indiana7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,218
    Typical home
    $299,000
    Net moves
    +12,197
Show 2 more
  1. 20Wisconsin6% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,236
    Typical home
    $389,900
    Net moves
    +6,984
  2. 33IllinoisThis stateAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,416
    Typical home
    $324,950
    Net moves
    -40,017

Illinois by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Illinois next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Illinois100.093.9$324,950$1,786$1,416
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Metro areas in Illinois

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin103.6$1,648$389,450

Illinois next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Illinois100.0$1,416$324,950-40,017
Iowa87.8$1,049$284,900-970
Indiana93.3$1,218$299,000+12,197
Kentucky90.2$1,089$307,775+7,269
Missouri90.8$1,121$300,000+14,028
Wisconsin94.1$1,236$389,900+6,984

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-113,205
2020-21-108,364
2021-22-149,904
2022-23-79,784
2023-24-53,080
2024-25-40,017

States with a similar cost of living to Illinois

Keep comparing

Illinois cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Illinois?

Everyday prices in Illinois run about the US average, the 33rd lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 93.9 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $324,950 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,786 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,416 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $133,203 in Illinois.

Is Illinois cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Illinois's regional price parity is 100.0, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 0.0% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Illinois?

The median listed home in Illinois is $324,950 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 14th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,786 a month.

How much is rent in Illinois?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Illinois is $1,416 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Illinois equals $150,000 in New York?

About $133,203, using BEA regional price parities for Illinois (100.0) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Illinois?

40,017 more people left Illinois for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page