Dentists, General Salary in Illinois: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Dentists, General salary really buy you in Illinois?

Illinois is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$180,420

Median annual (2024)

→ -1.3%

Real Purchasing Power

$178,104

COL-adjusted (RPP=101.3)

Illinois Cost of Living Index

Illinois's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 101.3, meaning prices are 1.3% higher the national average. A Dentists, General earning $180,420 in Illinois has the equivalent purchasing power of $178,104 in an average-cost US state.

IL: 101.3

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

Illinois's cost of living is close to the national average, so $180,420 keeps most of its value at $178,104 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Dentists, General (After Cost of Living)

Where does Dentists, General salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Delaware

$229,275

RPP 98.0

2. Vermont

$228,476

RPP 101.1

3. North Dakota

$226,922

RPP 88.7

4. Alaska

$226,303

RPP 102.0

5. Wisconsin

$223,889

RPP 92.3

6. Minnesota

$214,759

RPP 97.7

7. Maine

$207,202

RPP 100.8

8. Arizona

$206,866

RPP 99.9

9. Georgia

$204,405

RPP 95.8

10. North Carolina

$203,057

RPP 94.2

Illinois ranks #26 out of 46 states for Dentists, General after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Dentists, General in Illinois after cost of living?

A Dentists, General in Illinois earns a median salary of $180,420 per year. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (RPP=101.3), the real purchasing power is $178,104 — a -1.3% difference.

Is Illinois expensive to live in?

Illinois's cost of living is 1.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Illinois is 101.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Dentists, General in Illinois: $180,420 x (100 / 101.3) = $178,104. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.