A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
50%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Benton Illinois National
Cost of living8596100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries9598100
Health care8895100
Housing5095100
Transportation91103100
Utilities12189100
New Real Estate Listings in Benton Area
Search Homes for Sale in Benton, IL

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Benton is 12% lower than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Benton is 15% lower than the national average
  • Benton housing is 50% lower than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 119% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Benton

See all the best places to live around Benton

Compare Benton, IL Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Benton?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Benton?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Benton poll results

      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$53,188$4,432$1,241$1,596
      Renters$27,886$2,324$651$837
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Benton is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Benton has a median income of about $53,188 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,241 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $27,886. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $651 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Benton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.34$24.264.4%
      Beauty Salon $44.12$45.563.2%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.0%
      Shampoo $1.23$1.283.9%
      Movie $13.11$12.138.1%
      Bowling $16.17$18.0010.2%

      Groceries

      Item Benton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.74$5.841.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.37$1.5713.2%
      Milk $4.50$4.673.7%
      Potatoes $5.13$4.933.9%
      Pizza $11.24$12.097.0%
      Beer $9.75$10.416.4%

      Health Care

      Item Benton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $94.06$125.6825.2%
      Doctor $105.07$135.7822.6%
      Dentist $103.51$113.298.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.26$10.653.7%
      Lipitor $470.38$468.600.4%

      Housing

      Item Benton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $75,700.00$184,700.0059.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,772.15$2,346.6924.5%
      Apartment Rent $663.00$949.0030.1%

      Transportation

      Item Benton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.25$3.466.1%
      Tire Balancing $50.23$59.9216.2%

      Utilities

      Item Benton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $259.32$193.9933.7%
      Phone $189.86$192.251.2%
      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.
      Mulkeytown, IL128945.9%
      Hurst, IL7567623.9%
      Zeigler, IL1,7797723.3%
      Bush, IL3037723.2%
      Orient, IL4348118.5%
      Benton, IL6,9778515.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Decatur, TX6,9761065.5%
      Oak Ridge, NC6,97913434.4%
      Old Greenwich, CT6,980282182.1%
      King, NC6,980964.0%
      Great Neck Plaza, NY6,98014544.9%
      Benton, IL6,9778515.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.