A+
20%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
53%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Cahokia Illinois National
Cost of living8098100
Goods & Services9398100
Groceries99100100
Health care89102100
Housing4795100
Transportation90102100
Utilities9498100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Cahokia, IL

The cost of living in Cahokia 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 Cahokia is 80, which is 20% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

According to the latest cost of living report, Cahokia stands out as one of the most budget-friendly places to reside in the nation. In fact, only a handful of cities boast a cost of living index that is at least 20% below the national average, and Cahokia proudly belongs to that select group. This underscores the exceptional affordability of this region in comparison to other urban centers.

Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Cahokia stands out by reporting housing costs that are 53% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Cahokia can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.

Is Cahokia Affordable?

Wondering if Cahokia is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Cahokia, for example, the median home price is 73.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 5.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Cahokia boasting a median household income of $44,891, which is 44.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Cahokia?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Cahokia, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 4.95%.

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 Cahokia, healthcare costs are 10.6% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Cahokia, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Cahokia is 19% lower than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Cahokia is 20% lower than the national average
  • Cahokia housing is 53% lower than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 91% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Cahokia

See all the best places to live around Cahokia

Compare Cahokia, 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$64,115$5,343$1,496$1,924
      Renters$37,902$3,159$884$1,137
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Cahokia, IL, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Cahokia, the median monthly income is $64,115 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,496 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $37,902, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $884 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Cahokia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.69$27.6217.8%
      Beauty Salon $41.19$51.1119.4%
      Toothpaste $4.04$4.091.3%
      Shampoo $1.72$1.5411.5%
      Movie $12.89$12.880.1%
      Yoga $20.35$19.663.5%

      Groceries

      Item Cahokia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.84$7.701.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.51$1.669.2%
      Milk $4.75$4.730.4%
      Potatoes $5.24$5.260.3%
      Pizza $11.32$12.7611.3%
      Beer $9.85$10.556.6%

      Health Care

      Item Cahokia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $104.21$140.0625.6%
      Doctor $103.31$153.8232.8%
      Dentist $117.88$123.154.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.82$11.730.8%
      Lipitor $23.43$23.610.8%

      Housing

      Item Cahokia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $86,828.00$326,622.0073.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,007.41$2,480.2519.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,367.00$1,444.005.3%

      Transportation

      Item Cahokia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.97$3.062.9%
      Tire Balancing $47.61$65.2127.0%

      Utilities

      Item Cahokia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.81$220.1212.0%
      Phone $204.58$195.714.5%
      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.
      Champ, MO3946.3%
      Floraville, IL31946.3%
      Paderborn, IL68946.3%
      Brooklyn, IL4457327.3%
      East St. Louis, IL27,0337623.7%
      Cahokia, IL14,3668020.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Fruita, CO14,36611010.3%
      Sauk Rapids, MN14,365981.6%
      Monroe, OH14,3681054.8%
      Alamo, CA14,363307206.9%
      Fort Payne, AL14,3618515.1%
      Cahokia, IL14,3668020.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.