| Index | Arlington Heights | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 124 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 184 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 100 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Arlington Heights? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Arlington Heights stands at 124, making it 24% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Arlington Heights may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Arlington Heights falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Arlington Heights cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 83.7% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Arlington Heights. The feedback revealed that 44% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 56% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights, the median home price is 96.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 52.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Arlington Heights boasting a median household income of $151,218, 85.9% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Arlington Heights, the utilities index is 2% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Arlington Heights, the groceries index is 0.4% lower than the national average.
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 Arlington Heights, the housing index is 83.7% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Arlington Heights are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $173,672 | $14,473 | $4,052 | $5,211 |
| Renters | $98,134 | $8,178 | $2,290 | $2,944 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 10.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Maywood, IL | 23,986 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Bellwood, IL | 19,287 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Berkeley, IL | 5,266 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Stone Park, IL | 4,997 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Northlake, IL | 12,696 | 102 | 1.7% |
| Arlington Heights, IL | 77,990 | 124 | 24.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Iowa City, IA | 77,990 | 102 | 2.2% |
| Bellflower, CA | 78,041 | 151 | 50.6% |
| Carmichael, CA | 77,824 | 140 | 39.9% |
| Wyoming, MI | 78,208 | 92 | 7.7% |
| Georgetown, TX | 77,731 | 116 | 15.6% |
| Arlington Heights, IL | 77,990 | 124 | 24.1% |
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