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Sterling, IL

Cost of living in Whiteside County, IL

Estimated monthly cost
$2,737/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 55,192 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $686 25%
Federal tax $509 19%
Healthcare $480 18%
Groceries $345 13%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $177 6%
State tax $170 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Whiteside County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$633
per month
1 bedroom
$686
per month
2 bedroom
$899
per month
3 bedroom
$1,119
per month
4 bedroom
$1,192
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Whiteside County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$64,536
per year
Individual earnings
$41,192
per year
Per capita
$36,788
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Whiteside County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$125,800
Annual property tax
$2,676

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Whiteside 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 Whiteside County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.5%

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 Whiteside 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 Whiteside County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.9 min
Drive alone
80.6%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
4.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Whiteside County

What it costs to live in Whiteside County each month.

Single person
$2,737
per month
  • Rent $686
  • Energy $177
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $345
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $509
  • State tax $170
Couple
$4,019
per month
  • Rent $899
  • Energy $212
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $572
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $726
  • State tax $266
Family
$6,384
per month
  • Rent $1,119
  • Energy $266
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $867
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $726
  • State tax $266

Frequently asked questions about Whiteside County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Whiteside County?

In Whiteside County, IL, a one-bedroom apartment averages $686 per month, a two-bedroom averages $899 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,119 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Whiteside County?

In Whiteside County, IL, the average household income is $64,536 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,192 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Whiteside County?

The estimated cost of living in Whiteside County, IL is approximately $2,737 per month for a single person, $4,019 for a couple, $6,384 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Whiteside County?

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

Is Whiteside County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Whiteside County, IL would need approximately $2,737 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $64,536 per year ($5,378 per month). Whiteside County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Whiteside County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Whiteside County, IL is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Whiteside County?

The average home value in Whiteside County, IL is $125,800, with average annual property taxes of $2,676, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Whiteside County compare to other areas?

You can compare Whiteside County, IL with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Whiteside County is in the Sterling, 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 Whiteside 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
Methodology All data sources