F
23%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
74%
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 Darien Illinois National
Cost of living12396100
Goods & Services10697100
Groceries9798100
Health care9895100
Housing17495100
Transportation114103100
Utilities8089100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Darien, IL

Understanding the cost of living in Darien 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 Darien cost of living index is 123, which is 23% higher 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 Darien is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Darien falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Darien, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 74.2% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Darien Affordable?

Wondering if Darien is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Darien, for example, the median home price is 82.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 55.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Darien boasting a median household income of $100,771, which is 82.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Darien?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Darien, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 4.95%.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Darien, the utilities index is 20.1% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Darien displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Darien is 28% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Darien is 23% higher than the national average
  • Darien housing is 74% higher 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 Darien

See all the best places to live around Darien

Compare Darien, IL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$106,416$8,868$2,483$3,193
      Renters$55,417$4,618$1,293$1,663
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Darien, IL, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Darien homeowners, is $106,416. This would allow for a maximum of $2,483 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $55,417 which would result in a maximum of $1,293 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Darien 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 Darien 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 Darien 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 Darien National avg. Difference
      Home Price $336,800.00$184,700.0082.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,316.57$2,346.6943.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,472.00$949.0055.1%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Darien 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.
      Hodgkins, IL1,7538514.6%
      Hometown, IL4,216919.0%
      Robbins, IL5,068928.5%
      Merrionette Park, IL1,973964.4%
      Fairmont, IL2,690954.6%
      Darien, IL21,84312323.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Geneva, IL21,84312525.2%
      Linda, CA21,84211514.6%
      Shelbyville, TN21,841909.7%
      Rose Hill, VA21,84615151.1%
      Lexington, SC21,8471032.8%
      Darien, IL21,84312323.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.