B-
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
0%
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 Fox Lake Illinois National
Cost of living10396100
Goods & Services10797100
Groceries10498100
Health care10895100
Housing10095100
Transportation107103100
Utilities8989100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fox Lake, IL

Understanding the cost of living in Fox Lake 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 Fox Lake cost of living index is 103, which is 3% 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 Fox Lake is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Fox Lake?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Fox Lake. The feedback revealed that 60% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 40% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Fox Lake Affordable?

Wondering if Fox Lake 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 Fox Lake, for example, the median home price is 5.7% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.7% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fox Lake boasting a median household income of $62,615, which is 13.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fox Lake?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Fox Lake, healthcare costs are 7.7% higher than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Fox Lake, the housing index comes in at 0.1% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Fox Lake starts at 6.25% and the income tax rates start at 4.95%.

Where is the Data From?

The Fox Lake 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fox Lake is 7% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Fox Lake is 3% higher than the national average
  • Fox Lake housing is equal to 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 Fox Lake

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Compare Fox Lake, 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$73,776$6,148$1,721$2,214
      Renters$42,722$3,560$997$1,282
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Fox Lake, IL, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Fox Lake, homeowners have a median income of $73,776. Using that number, a maximum of $1,721 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $42,722, which means there is a maximum of $997 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Fox Lake National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.69$24.2638.9%
      Beauty Salon $53.44$45.5617.3%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.281.1%
      Movie $17.91$12.1347.6%
      Bowling $24.58$18.0036.6%

      Groceries

      Item Fox Lake National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.28$5.849.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.42$1.579.7%
      Milk $4.87$4.674.3%
      Potatoes $4.90$4.930.7%
      Pizza $13.41$12.0910.9%
      Beer $10.00$10.414.0%

      Health Care

      Item Fox Lake National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $118.27$125.685.9%
      Doctor $167.67$135.7823.5%
      Dentist $128.22$113.2913.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.97$10.652.9%
      Lipitor $382.34$468.6018.4%

      Housing

      Item Fox Lake National avg. Difference
      Home Price $174,100.00$184,700.005.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,578.06$2,346.699.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,079.00$949.0013.7%

      Transportation

      Item Fox Lake National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.56$3.462.7%
      Tire Balancing $70.87$59.9218.3%

      Utilities

      Item Fox Lake National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $148.58$193.9923.4%
      Phone $210.03$192.259.3%
      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.
      Park City, IL7,6368415.8%
      Lake Ivanhoe, WI398955.5%
      Round Lake Park, IL7,744972.8%
      Camp Lake, WI4,175972.5%
      Wilmot, WI219982.2%
      Fox Lake, IL10,7391032.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sainte-Julienne, QC10,741n/a 
      Muskegon Heights, MI10,7357722.9%
      Northbrook, OH10,744918.9%
      Waipio, HI10,74517070.0%
      Fairfield, AL10,7498713.1%
      Fox Lake, IL10,7391032.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.