A-
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
30%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Chicago Heights Illinois National
Cost of living9296100
Goods & Services10697100
Groceries9798100
Health care9895100
Housing7095100
Transportation114103100
Utilities8089100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Chicago Heights, IL

Understanding the cost of living in Chicago Heights can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Chicago Heights cost of living index is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Chicago Heights closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Chicago Heights can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Chicago Heights Affordable?

Is Chicago Heights affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Chicago Heights, the median home price is 41.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 3.3% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Chicago Heights boasting a median household income of $49,880, 9.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Chicago Heights?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Chicago Heights, the transportation index is 13.6% higher than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Chicago Heights, is 30.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Chicago Heights cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Chicago Heights is 4% lower than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Chicago Heights is 8% lower than the national average
  • Chicago Heights housing is 30% lower than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 91% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Chicago Heights

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Compare Chicago Heights, IL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,611$5,468$1,531$1,969
      Renters$28,616$2,385$668$859
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Chicago Heights is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Chicago Heights has a median income of about $65,611 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,531 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $28,616. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $668 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Illinois Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Illinois 6.25% 10.25%

      Illinois Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Illinois 4.95% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Chicago Heights National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.72$24.2618.7%
      Beauty Salon $37.22$45.5618.3%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.283.3%
      Movie $9.99$12.1317.7%
      Bowling $16.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Chicago Heights National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.94$5.841.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.8%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.08$4.933.0%
      Pizza $10.69$12.0911.6%
      Beer $9.61$10.417.7%

      Health Care

      Item Chicago Heights National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $86.67$125.6831.0%
      Doctor $110.00$135.7819.0%
      Dentist $82.00$113.2927.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.17$10.654.5%
      Lipitor $511.00$468.609.0%

      Housing

      Item Chicago Heights National avg. Difference
      Home Price $107,700.00$184,700.0041.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,316.57$2,346.6943.9%
      Apartment Rent $918.00$949.003.3%

      Transportation

      Item Chicago Heights National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.52$3.461.7%
      Tire Balancing $45.00$59.9224.9%

      Utilities

      Item Chicago Heights National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $156.87$193.9919.1%
      Phone $198.03$192.253.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ford Heights, IL2,7058614.2%
      East Chicago, IN28,0448712.7%
      Gary, IN75,4868812.0%
      Phoenix, IL1,4028812.0%
      Dixmoor, IL3,5709010.2%
      Chicago Heights, IL29,598928.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Highland Park, IL29,59614949.3%
      Carney, MD29,62411616.1%
      San Carlos, CA29,647310209.9%
      Duluth, GA29,53811110.9%
      Middle River, MD29,6651087.8%
      Chicago Heights, IL29,598928.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.