B
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
8%
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 Carpentersville Illinois National
Cost of living10798100
Goods & Services11098100
Groceries104100100
Health care116102100
Housing10895100
Transportation104102100
Utilities9598100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Carpentersville, IL

Understanding the cost of living in Carpentersville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Carpentersville cost of living index is 107, which is 7% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Carpentersville closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Carpentersville can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Carpentersville, these items will cost you 10.2% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

Is Carpentersville Affordable?

Is Carpentersville 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 Carpentersville, the median home price is 2.4% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 32.3% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Carpentersville boasting a median household income of $109,560, 34.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Carpentersville?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Carpentersville, the transportation index is 4.3% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Carpentersville, 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 Carpentersville is 9% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Carpentersville is 7% higher than the national average
  • Carpentersville housing is 8% higher 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 Carpentersville

See all the best places to live around Carpentersville

Compare Carpentersville, 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$126,471$10,539$2,951$3,795
      Renters$73,312$6,109$1,710$2,200
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Carpentersville, IL, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Carpentersville homeowners, is $126,471. This would allow for a maximum of $2,951 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $73,312 which would result in a maximum of $1,710 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Carpentersville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $49.08$27.6277.7%
      Beauty Salon $68.42$51.1133.9%
      Toothpaste $4.13$4.090.9%
      Shampoo $1.56$1.541.2%
      Movie $17.42$12.8835.3%
      Yoga $28.87$19.6646.8%

      Groceries

      Item Carpentersville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.53$7.702.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.56$1.666.2%
      Milk $4.88$4.733.1%
      Potatoes $5.20$5.261.1%
      Pizza $13.97$12.769.5%
      Beer $10.56$10.550.1%

      Health Care

      Item Carpentersville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $208.97$140.0649.2%
      Doctor $194.67$153.8226.6%
      Dentist $135.44$123.1510.0%
      Ibuprofen $12.22$11.734.2%
      Lipitor $24.14$23.612.2%

      Housing

      Item Carpentersville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $318,737.00$326,622.002.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,929.74$2,480.2518.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,911.00$1,444.0032.3%

      Transportation

      Item Carpentersville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.064.7%
      Tire Balancing $67.63$65.213.7%

      Utilities

      Item Carpentersville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $188.44$220.1214.4%
      Phone $213.97$195.719.3%
      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.
      Union, IL699973.1%
      Woodstock, IL26,024991.4%
      Hainesville, IL3,7051077.3%
      Holiday Hills, IL6781087.8%
      Elgin, IL115,3361088.0%
      Carpentersville, IL38,3831076.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cottage Grove, MN38,39811313.2%
      Commack, NY38,35815959.3%
      Meridian, MS38,4918218.2%
      Mechanicsville, VA38,4961088.4%
      Muskegon, MI38,2558713.4%
      Carpentersville, IL38,3831076.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.