A-
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
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 Washington Illinois National
Cost of living9696100
Goods & Services9497100
Groceries9998100
Health care8695100
Housing10095100
Transportation101103100
Utilities9089100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Washington, IL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Washington is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Washington is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Washington 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 Washington Affordable?

Is Washington an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Washington, the median home price is 1.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 3.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Washington come in at $78,608, which is 42.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Washington?

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Washington, the transportation index is 1.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Washington 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 Washington is equal to the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Washington is 4% lower than the national average
  • Washington 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 Washington

See all the best places to live around Washington

Compare Washington, 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$87,444$7,287$2,040$2,624
      Renters$43,109$3,592$1,006$1,293
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Washington, 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 Washington, homeowners have a median income of $87,444. Using that number, a maximum of $2,040 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $43,109, which means there is a maximum of $1,006 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 Washington National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.00$24.263.0%
      Beauty Salon $39.00$45.5614.4%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.5%
      Shampoo $1.35$1.285.2%
      Movie $9.91$12.1318.4%
      Bowling $15.00$18.0016.7%

      Groceries

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.23$5.846.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.4%
      Milk $4.74$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $4.97$4.930.6%
      Pizza $12.49$12.093.4%
      Beer $10.32$10.410.9%

      Health Care

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $119.25$125.685.1%
      Doctor $128.33$135.785.5%
      Dentist $81.17$113.2928.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.34$10.652.9%
      Lipitor $437.64$468.606.6%

      Housing

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Home Price $186,900.00$184,700.001.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,766.12$2,346.6924.7%
      Apartment Rent $915.00$949.003.6%

      Transportation

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.68$3.466.3%
      Tire Balancing $53.33$59.9211.0%

      Utilities

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $158.51$193.9918.3%
      Phone $197.49$192.252.7%
      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.
      Creve Coeur, IL5,0748119.0%
      South Pekin, IL1,0618317.1%
      Peoria Heights, IL5,8258416.4%
      Bellevue, IL2,3368515.5%
      Pekin, IL32,7968515.4%
      Washington, IL16,555963.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      South Venice, FL16,5551066.1%
      Abington, MA16,55714040.2%
      Gainesville, TX16,557981.9%
      Mercedes, TX16,5617327.0%
      Country Club Hills, IL16,564991.3%
      Washington, IL16,555963.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.