| Index | DeKalb | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 100 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in DeKalb 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 DeKalb cost of living index is 98, which is 2% lower 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 DeKalb aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. DeKalb residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in DeKalb. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 71% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 29% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Wondering if DeKalb 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 DeKalb, for example, the median home price is 7.9% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 7.8% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with DeKalb boasting a median household income of $66,859, which is 17.8% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In DeKalb, the groceries index is 0.6% higher than the national average.
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.
The DeKalb cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as 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 | $129,407 | $10,784 | $3,019 | $3,883 |
| Renters | $42,499 | $3,542 | $992 | $1,275 |
| 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. |
| Steward, IL | 364 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Monroe Center, IL | 398 | 90 | 10.2% |
| Lee, IL | 390 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Creston, IL | 553 | 93 | 7.5% |
| Shabbona, IL | 971 | 95 | 4.8% |
| DeKalb, IL | 44,075 | 98 | 2.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rocky View County, AB | 44,056 | n/a | |
| North Miami Beach, FL | 44,034 | 108 | 8.3% |
| Brentwood, TN | 44,025 | 166 | 66.4% |
| Edmonds, WA | 44,023 | 159 | 59.5% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 44,014 | 91 | 8.7% |
| DeKalb, IL | 44,075 | 98 | 2.2% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
Most Dangerous States In The US
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
See the best places to live in DeKalb