B+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
3%
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 Morris Illinois National
Cost of living10296100
Goods & Services10697100
Groceries9798100
Health care9895100
Housing10395100
Transportation114103100
Utilities8089100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Morris, IL

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Morris? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Morris stands at 102, making it 2% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Morris 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.

Is Morris Affordable?

Is Morris an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Morris is 3.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 3.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Morris has a median household income of $61,419, which is 11% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Morris?

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 Morris, the utilities index is 20.1% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Morris, the housing index is 3.4% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Morris, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 4.95%.

Where is the Data From?

The Morris 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 Morris is 6% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Morris is 2% higher than the national average
  • Morris housing is 3% 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 Morris

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Compare Morris, IL Cost of Living

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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$80,816$6,735$1,886$2,425
      Renters$48,603$4,050$1,134$1,458
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Morris, 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 Morris homeowners, is $80,816. This would allow for a maximum of $1,886 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $48,603 which would result in a maximum of $1,134 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 Morris 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 Morris 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 Morris 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 Morris National avg. Difference
      Home Price $190,700.00$184,700.003.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,316.57$2,346.6943.9%
      Apartment Rent $985.00$949.003.8%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Morris 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.
      Ransom, IL3558713.0%
      Kinsman, IL968812.0%
      East Brooklyn, IL578514.6%
      Verona, IL259918.8%
      Godley, IL691918.6%
      Morris, IL14,4201022.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hartselle, AL14,4218910.8%
      Sterling, CO14,421937.1%
      Villas, FL14,4211044.1%
      Rio Grande City, TX14,4118020.1%
      Mont-Laurier, QC14,402n/a 
      Morris, IL14,4201022.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.