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Illinois City Intelligence

Compare cost of living, salaries, and quality of life across cities in Illinois.

Illinois, known as the "Prairie State," offers a diverse character ranging from the bustling metropolis of Chicago to expansive farmlands. Its economy is among the largest and most diversified in the U.S., with major industries including advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, life sciences, technology, and transportation and logistics. While the cost of living statewide is generally considered moderate, housing costs in Chicago can be higher than the national average. Illinois experiences all four seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, and is susceptible to severe storms and tornadoes, particularly in spring. Residents enjoy a lifestyle that balances world-class cultural amenities and career opportunities with challenges such as high taxes and urban congestion.

20
Cities
$72K
Avg Salary
102
Avg Cost Index
Bloomington
Top City

About Illinois

Illinois is a state in USA with 20 cities tracked on Urblytica. The average cost index across its cities is 102, with average salaries around $71,770. Explore cost of living, salary data, and quality of life metrics for each city below.

Cities in Illinois

Bloomington, Illinois city skyline – cost of living, safety and quality of life data Daniel Schwen (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #1 Best City 67

Bloomington

Illinois, USA

SafetyB-
CostB
Growth70
Avg. Rent$1,100
Median Income$77,384
Cost of Living89/100
View Analytical Data
Orland Park #2 Best City 66

Orland Park

Illinois, USA

SafetyA
CostC
Growth74
Avg. Rent$1,950
Median Income$105,000
Cost of Living112/100
View Analytical Data
Arlington Heights #3 Best City 65

Arlington Heights

Illinois, USA

SafetyA
CostC
Growth74
Avg. Rent$1,850
Median Income$105,845
Cost of Living112/100
View Analytical Data
Bolingbrook #4 Best City 64

Bolingbrook

Illinois, USA

SafetyA-
CostC+
Growth73
Avg. Rent$1,750
Median Income$97,500
Cost of Living104/100
View Analytical Data
Joliet #5 Best City 64

Joliet

Illinois, USA

SafetyC+
CostB
Growth74
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$81,200
Cost of Living92/100
View Analytical Data
Naperville #6 Best City 63

Naperville

Illinois, USA

SafetyA
CostC-
Growth76
Avg. Rent$1,950
Median Income$145,000
Cost of Living122/100
View Analytical Data
Aurora #7 Best City 63

Aurora

Illinois, USA

SafetyB
CostB-
Growth73
Avg. Rent$1,650
Median Income$84,500
Cost of Living96/100
View Analytical Data
Schaumburg #8 Best City 63

Schaumburg

Illinois, USA

SafetyA-
CostC
Growth74
Avg. Rent$1,850
Median Income$91,500
Cost of Living112/100
View Analytical Data
Elgin #9 Best City 63

Elgin

Illinois, USA

SafetyB
CostB-
Growth71
Avg. Rent$1,650
Median Income$84,500
Cost of Living96/100
View Analytical Data
Waukegan #10 Best City 62

Waukegan

Illinois, USA

SafetyC+
CostB
Growth69
Avg. Rent$1,424
Median Income$71,919
Cost of Living92/100
View Analytical Data
Des Plaines #11 Best City 62

Des Plaines

Illinois, USA

SafetyA-
CostC+
Growth71
Avg. Rent$1,650
Median Income$82,500
Cost of Living104/100
View Analytical Data
Palatine #12 Best City 62

Palatine

Illinois, USA

SafetyA-
CostC
Growth72
Avg. Rent$1,750
Median Income$89,500
Cost of Living112/100
View Analytical Data
Champaign #13 Best City 61

Champaign

Illinois, USA

SafetyB
CostB-
Growth73
Avg. Rent$1,250
Median Income$61,200
Cost of Living93/100
View Analytical Data
Peoria #14 Best City 60

Peoria

Illinois, USA

SafetyC+
CostB+
Growth63
Avg. Rent$950
Median Income$58,500
Cost of Living84/100
View Analytical Data
Skokie #15 Best City 59

Skokie

Illinois, USA

SafetyA-
CostC-
Growth72
Avg. Rent$1,750
Median Income$85,400
Cost of Living118/100
View Analytical Data
Springfield #16 Best City 59

Springfield

Illinois, USA

SafetyB-
CostB-
Growth66
Avg. Rent$1,200
Median Income$66,064
Cost of Living93/100
View Analytical Data
Rockford #17 Best City 56

Rockford

Illinois, USA

SafetyC-
CostB+
Growth68
Avg. Rent$950
Median Income$55,500
Cost of Living85/100
View Analytical Data
Cicero #18 Best City 56

Cicero

Illinois, USA

SafetyC+
CostB
Growth69
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$58,500
Cost of Living92/100
View Analytical Data
Evanston #19 Best City 55

Evanston

Illinois, USA

SafetyB+
CostC-
Growth72
Avg. Rent$2,591
Median Income$96,434
Cost of Living122/100
View Analytical Data
Chicago #20 Best City 50

Chicago

Illinois, USA

SafetyC
CostC-
Growth71
Avg. Rent$2,050
Median Income$76,223
Cost of Living118/100
View Analytical Data

Start a business in Illinois

Register your LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit in Illinois — here are the key state figures. Filings go through the Alexi Giannoulias office.

Start your Illinois formation Formation guidance via BizStateFiling
$150
State Filing Fee
4.95%
State Income Tax
6.25%
Sales Tax
None
Franchise Tax

Do business & find care in Illinois

Business & Franchises

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Senior Care

2,020 senior care facilities in Illinois — assisted living, nursing & memory care.

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Common questions about Illinois

How is Urblytica's Cost of Living Index calculated relative to the national baseline?
Where does Urblytica source its real estate and housing market data?
What criteria determine whether a city is eligible for a full Urblytica economic and lifestyle profile?
How are historical data revisions handled when federal or municipal agencies update past statistics?
How are U.S. federal income tax brackets and state income taxes integrated into Urblytica's U.S. affordability model?
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