| Index | Des Plaines | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 112 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 140 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 100 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Des Plaines? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Des Plaines stands at 112, making it 12% higher 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.
Housing costs significantly influence the Des Plaines cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 40.3%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Is Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines is 48.6% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 20.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Des Plaines has a median household income of $111,566, which is 37.2% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Des Plaines, the utilities index stands at 2.6% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
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 Des Plaines, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 4.95%.
The Des Plaines 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 | $131,588 | $10,966 | $3,070 | $3,948 |
| Renters | $67,038 | $5,587 | $1,564 | $2,011 |
| 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. |
| Maywood, IL | 23,986 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Broadview, IL | 7,841 | 99 | 0.9% |
| Bellwood, IL | 19,287 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Cicero, IL | 84,320 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Berkeley, IL | 5,266 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Des Plaines, IL | 60,159 | 112 | 12.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Greenwood, IN | 60,157 | 97 | 2.7% |
| Orland Park, IL | 60,161 | 114 | 14.2% |
| Casper, WY | 60,154 | 102 | 2.1% |
| Bowie, MD | 60,153 | 134 | 34.1% |
| Great Falls, MT | 60,209 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Des Plaines, IL | 60,159 | 112 | 12.4% |
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