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Midwest · East North Central

Cost of living in Illinois

Rent, taxes, earnings and more across all 102 Illinois counties.

Avg. 1-bed rent
$814/mo
Avg. household income
$68,580/yr
Avg. home value
$146,132
Avg. monthly cost
$2,852/mo
Cheapest county
McDonough County
$2,473/mo for a single person
Most expensive county
DuPage County
$3,855/mo for a single person

Last updated May 21, 2026

Taxes in Illinois

State income, sales and local tax rates.

State income tax
4.95%
Flat rate

Illinois has a flat state income tax rate of 4.95%.

State sales tax
6.25%
Combined sales tax
8.82%
incl. average local of 2.57%

Use our salary calculator to see your take-home pay in Illinois

Tax information is for general reference. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Rent in Illinois

The average one-bedroom rent across Illinois is $814/mo. Rent varies from $663/mo in Edwards County to $1,560/mo in Will County.

Cheapest rent

Most expensive rent

Cheapest places to live in Illinois

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

Most expensive places to live in Illinois

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Highest earning counties in Illinois

Top 10 by average household income.

All 102 counties in Illinois

Sorted by population. Type to filter.

Compare any two areas in Illinois

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

Open comparison tool

Frequently asked questions about Illinois

Common questions about cost of living, taxes and rent.

What is the cost of living in Illinois?

The average cost of living in Illinois is approximately $2,852 per month for a single person. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes. Costs range from $2,473/mo in McDonough County to $3,855/mo in DuPage County.

What is the average rent in Illinois?

The average one-bedroom rent in Illinois is $814 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 102 counties.

What is the average salary in Illinois?

The average household income in Illinois is $68,580 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Does Illinois have state income tax?

Yes, Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%.

What is the sales tax in Illinois?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Illinois averages 8.82%. The state rate is 6.25% with an average local addition of 2.57%.

What are the cheapest places to live in Illinois?

The cheapest counties to live in Illinois based on overall monthly costs are: 1. McDonough County ($2,473/mo), 2. Hardin County ($2,562/mo), 3. Jackson County ($2,563/mo), 4. Greene County ($2,587/mo), 5. Pulaski County ($2,593/mo).

What are the most expensive places to live in Illinois?

The most expensive counties to live in Illinois based on overall monthly costs are: 1. DuPage County ($3,855/mo), 2. Will County ($3,810/mo), 3. McHenry County ($3,802/mo), 4. Kendall County ($3,732/mo), 5. Kane County ($3,729/mo).

Use this research

Journalists, researchers and bloggers are welcome to cite and share this analysis. Please include a follow link back to this page when referencing our data. For bespoke analysis, expert comment, or high-resolution graphics, get in touch via our press office.

About this data

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

  • U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
  • HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates
Methodology All data sources