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Ottawa, IL

Cost of living in Bureau County, IL

Estimated monthly cost
$2,704/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 33,027 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $736 27%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $443 16%
Groceries $345 13%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $177 7%
State tax $153 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Bureau County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$662
per month
1 bedroom
$736
per month
2 bedroom
$965
per month
3 bedroom
$1,191
per month
4 bedroom
$1,414
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Bureau County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$65,894
per year
Individual earnings
$37,179
per year
Per capita
$36,625
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Bureau County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$121,900
Annual property tax
$2,522

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Bureau County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$116
per month · 16.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$61
per month
Annual total
$2,124
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Bureau County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Bureau County

State and local tax rates for Illinois.

State income tax
5.0%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Bureau County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.0 min
Drive alone
81.4%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
4.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Bureau County

What it costs to live in Bureau County each month.

Single person
$2,704
per month
  • Rent $736
  • Energy $177
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $345
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $443
  • State tax $153
Couple
$4,113
per month
  • Rent $965
  • Energy $212
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $572
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $748
  • State tax $272
Family
$6,484
per month
  • Rent $1,191
  • Energy $266
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $867
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $748
  • State tax $272

Frequently asked questions about Bureau County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Bureau County?

In Bureau County, IL, a one-bedroom apartment averages $736 per month, a two-bedroom averages $965 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,191 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Bureau County?

In Bureau County, IL, the average household income is $65,894 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,179 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Bureau County?

The estimated cost of living in Bureau County, IL is approximately $2,704 per month for a single person, $4,113 for a couple, $6,484 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Bureau County?

The combined sales tax rate in Bureau County, IL is 8.82%, which includes the Illinois state rate of 6.25% plus an average local rate of 2.57%.

Is Bureau County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Bureau County, IL would need approximately $2,704 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $65,894 per year ($5,491 per month). Bureau County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Bureau County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Bureau County, IL is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Bureau County?

The average home value in Bureau County, IL is $121,900, with average annual property taxes of $2,522, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Bureau County compare to other areas?

You can compare Bureau County, IL with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Bureau County is in the Ottawa, IL metro area.

Other counties in Illinois

Browse the full list of counties in Illinois, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Illinois

Compare Bureau County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP