2025 affordability guide — compare housing costs, rental prices, and living expenses across 1356 cities in Illinois.
Average median home value across Illinois cities.
Rental data covers median monthly rent for tracked cities in Illinois.
COL index 92.4 vs. national average of 100. Your dollar goes further here.
Quick look at the cost extremes across Illinois.
Sorted from most expensive to most affordable. Click any city for a detailed breakdown with housing, rental, and income data.
| # | City | COL Index | Affordability | Median Home | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenilworth | 186.0 | Very Expensive | $1,409,800 | N/A |
| 2 | Glencoe | 181.9 | Very Expensive | $1,354,900 | N/A |
| 3 | Hinsdale | 155.1 | Very Expensive | $999,100 | N/A |
| 4 | South Barrington | 154.1 | Very Expensive | $986,300 | N/A |
| 5 | Golf | 152.0 | Very Expensive | $957,600 | N/A |
| 6 | Lake Forest | 148.4 | Very Expensive | $909,800 | N/A |
| 7 | Oak Brook | 145.2 | Very Expensive | $867,900 | N/A |
| 8 | Baileyville CDP | 141.5 | Very Expensive | $817,900 | N/A |
| 9 | Northfield | 140.7 | Very Expensive | $807,700 | N/A |
| 10 | Wilmette | 140.3 | Very Expensive | $802,200 | N/A |
| 11 | Riverwoods | 139.8 | Very Expensive | $796,100 | N/A |
| 12 | Barrington Hills | 138.8 | Very Expensive | $781,600 | N/A |
| 13 | Mettawa | 136.4 | Very Expensive | $750,000 | N/A |
| 14 | Long Grove | 136.1 | Very Expensive | $746,700 | N/A |
| 15 | Lake Bluff | 135.6 | Very Expensive | $739,400 | N/A |
| 16 | Inverness | 132.9 | Very Expensive | $704,100 | N/A |
| 17 | Kildeer | 132.5 | Very Expensive | $697,900 | N/A |
| 18 | Burr Ridge | 132.2 | Very Expensive | $694,800 | N/A |
| 19 | Western Springs | 132.0 | Very Expensive | $691,300 | N/A |
| 20 | North Barrington | 131.9 | Very Expensive | $690,900 | N/A |
Complete directory of every tracked city and town. Filter or scroll to find yours.
States like Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Kansas typically have lower costs of living compared to coastal states.
RPP (Regional Price Parity) measures the price level for all items. COL Index combines RPP, housing, and rental data for a comprehensive comparison.
Data: BEA Regional Price Parities, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, HUD Fair Market Rents. Our Methodology · Data Sources