Illinois Cost of Living Calculator
Illinois scores 94.5 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 83.3, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $70,875 here; its highest part is health care at 104.2.
| Index | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 94.5 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 83.3 |
| Groceries | 98.9 |
| Utilities | 99.9 |
| Transportation | 100.8 |
| Health care | 104.2 |
| Other goods and services | 98.1 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$4,125.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Illinois's figures fill the destination side: composite 94.5 for the salary, housing 83.3 for the rent, and 4.95% flat for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Illinois ranks 24th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (94.5). Median household income: $83,211 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,752 a month.
What Illinois's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Illinois | Rent at the U.S. average → in Illinois | Illinois income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $47,250 | $1,000 → $833 | $2,194 (4.6%) |
| $75,000 | $70,875 | $1,500 → $1,250 | $3,364 (4.7%) |
| $100,000 | $94,500 | $2,000 → $1,666 | $4,533 (4.8%) |
| $150,000 | $141,750 | $2,500 → $2,083 | $6,872 (4.8%) |
Illinois 2026 single-filer rates, after Illinois Department of Revenue — 2026 Booklet IL-700-T; Publication 120 (tax year 2026).
Illinois and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Illinois | $1,500 rent there = in Illinois | $75,000 in Illinois = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 89.7 / 77.5 | $79,013 | $1,612 | $71,190 | 2.95% flat → 4.95% flat |
| Iowa | 86.1 / 70.6 | $82,317 | $1,770 | $68,333 | 3.8% flat → 4.95% flat |
| Kentucky | 94.0 / 79.4 | $75,399 | $1,574 | $74,603 | 3.5% flat → 4.95% flat |
| Missouri | 88.2 / 77.7 | $80,357 | $1,608 | $70,000 | 4.7% top rate → 4.95% flat |
| Wisconsin | 95.7 / 91.2 | $74,060 | $1,370 | $75,952 | 7.65% top rate → 4.95% flat |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Illinois?
Illinois's composite index is 94.5 for Q2 2026, the 24th lowest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $70,875 buys in Illinois.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Illinois?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Illinois's highest part is health care (104.2) and its lowest is housing (83.3); transportation and health care are above the national average, the other four at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Illinois at 30% of income?
About $70,080 a year: Illinois's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,752 a month, and $21,024 a year is 30% of that salary.