F
46%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
156%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Deerfield Illinois National
Cost of living14698100
Groceries98100100
Health care99100100
Housing25695100
Transportation100101100
Utilities10299100
Lifestyle & Entertainment99100100
Household Items100100100
Education & Childcare96100100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Deerfield, IL

Knowing the cost of living in Deerfield allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Deerfield stands at 146, marking it 46% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Deerfield may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Deerfield falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Deerfield 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 155.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Deerfield?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 10 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Deerfield and this is how they responded. 30% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 70% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Deerfield Affordable?

Is Deerfield 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 Deerfield is 181.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 95.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Deerfield has a median household income of $238,400, which is 193.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Deerfield?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Deerfield, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 4.95%.

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 Deerfield, the housing index is 155.9% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Deerfield, the groceries index is 2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Deerfield cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Deerfield is 49% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Deerfield is 46% higher than the national average
  • Deerfield housing is 156% 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 Deerfield

See all the best places to live around Deerfield

Compare Deerfield, IL Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Deerfield?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Deerfield?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Deerfield poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$258,563$21,547$6,033$7,758
      Renters$126,567$10,547$2,953$3,797
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Deerfield is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Deerfield has a median income of about $258,563 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $6,033 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $126,567. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $2,953 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Park City, IL7,8948218.2%
      North Chicago, IL30,865955.0%
      Round Lake Park, IL8,005955.3%
      Waukegan, IL90,063964.1%
      Round Lake Beach, IL28,313981.7%
      Deerfield, IL19,65014646.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Haslett, MI19,6511021.5%
      South San Jose Hills, CA19,65414242.0%
      Shelbyville, IN19,6678713.0%
      North Amityville, NY19,62713332.5%
      Ronkonkoma, NY19,67613434.5%
      Deerfield, IL19,65014646.1%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.