A-
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
5%
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 Sycamore Illinois National
Cost of living9796100
Goods & Services8997100
Groceries9798100
Health care10195100
Housing10595100
Transportation110103100
Utilities8789100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sycamore, IL

The cost of living in Sycamore affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Sycamore is 97, which is 3% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Sycamore aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Sycamore residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Sycamore, these goods are 11.1% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Sycamore?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Sycamore. The feedback revealed that 29% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 71% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Sycamore Affordable?

Is Sycamore affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Sycamore, the median home price is 8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 3.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Sycamore boasting a median household income of $65,924, 19.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sycamore?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Sycamore, the housing index is 4.5% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Sycamore, the groceries index is 3.3% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Sycamore, healthcare costs are 0.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Sycamore 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sycamore is 1% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Sycamore is 3% lower than the national average
  • Sycamore housing is 5% higher 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 Sycamore

See all the best places to live around Sycamore

Compare Sycamore, IL Cost of Living

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      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$90,430$7,536$2,110$2,713
      Renters$39,073$3,256$912$1,172
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Sycamore, 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 Sycamore, homeowners have a median income of $90,430. Using that number, a maximum of $2,110 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $39,073, which means there is a maximum of $912 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 Sycamore National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.94$24.2617.8%
      Beauty Salon $36.22$45.5620.5%
      Toothpaste $3.58$3.703.2%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.281.1%
      Movie $12.73$12.134.9%
      Bowling $12.67$18.0029.6%

      Groceries

      Item Sycamore National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.72$5.842.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.42$1.579.9%
      Milk $4.63$4.670.9%
      Potatoes $4.82$4.932.3%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $9.56$10.418.2%

      Health Care

      Item Sycamore National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $79.67$125.6836.6%
      Doctor $158.33$135.7816.6%
      Dentist $110.16$113.292.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.57$10.650.8%
      Lipitor $460.30$468.601.8%

      Housing

      Item Sycamore National avg. Difference
      Home Price $199,500.00$184,700.008.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,465.09$2,346.6937.6%
      Apartment Rent $915.00$949.003.6%

      Transportation

      Item Sycamore National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.69$3.466.7%
      Tire Balancing $70.28$59.9217.3%

      Utilities

      Item Sycamore National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $147.39$193.9924.0%
      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.
      Lee, IL3808712.7%
      Malta, IL1,431919.4%
      Kirkland, IL1,524928.5%
      Kingston, IL1,183928.4%
      Genoa, IL5,092927.6%
      Sycamore, IL17,990973.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cutlerville, MI17,988928.1%
      Melville, NY17,99217777.1%
      Loyalist, ON17,983n/a 
      Logansport, IN17,9687920.6%
      Bethpage, NY18,01215959.0%
      Sycamore, IL17,990973.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.