| Index | Champaign | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 100 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Champaign? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Champaign stands at 98, making it 2% lower 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.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Champaign are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Champaign can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 9 residents in Champaign to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 33% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 67% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Champaign an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Champaign is 9.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 4.9% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Champaign has a median household income of $72,910, which is 10.4% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Champaign, the transportation index is 3.1% 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 Champaign, the utilities index is 0.6% lower than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Champaign, the housing index stands at 8.3% lower than the national average.
The Champaign cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $120,913 | $10,076 | $2,821 | $3,628 |
| Renters | $43,865 | $3,655 | $1,023 | $1,316 |
| 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. |
| White Heath, IL | 159 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Ivesdale, IL | 255 | 86 | 13.8% |
| Thomasboro, IL | 1,071 | 87 | 13.2% |
| Rantoul, IL | 13,263 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Seymour, IL | 151 | 88 | 12.0% |
| Champaign, IL | 90,911 | 98 | 2.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Reading, PA | 90,906 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Palm Coast, FL | 91,057 | 112 | 11.9% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 90,724 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Newton, MA | 90,578 | 207 | 106.6% |
| Ogden, UT | 90,520 | 101 | 1.5% |
| Champaign, IL | 90,911 | 98 | 2.4% |
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