| Index | Chicago Heights | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 71 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 100 | 100 |
The cost of living in Chicago Heights 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 Chicago Heights is 92, which is 8% 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 Chicago Heights closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Chicago Heights can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Chicago Heights affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Chicago Heights, for instance, where the median home price falls 40.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Chicago Heights flaunting a median household income of $74,155, 8.8% lower than the national norm.
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 Chicago Heights, the housing index stands at 28.8% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Chicago Heights, the transportation index stands at 2.5% higher than the national average.
The Chicago Heights 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 | $96,620 | $8,052 | $2,254 | $2,899 |
| Renters | $42,986 | $3,582 | $1,003 | $1,290 |
| 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. |
| Ford Heights, IL | 2,801 | 83 | 16.6% |
| East Chicago, IN | 28,835 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Gary, IN | 77,151 | 81 | 19.3% |
| Phoenix, IL | 1,450 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Dixmoor, IL | 3,663 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Chicago Heights, IL | 30,540 | 92 | 8.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Parkersburg, WV | 30,536 | 82 | 18.3% |
| Suisun City, CA | 30,544 | 145 | 45.1% |
| Walnut, CA | 30,544 | 197 | 96.6% |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 30,529 | 213 | 113.4% |
| Highland Park, IL | 30,564 | 146 | 46.3% |
| Chicago Heights, IL | 30,540 | 92 | 8.4% |
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