| Index | Dixon | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 56 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 100 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Dixon is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Dixon is 85, which is 15% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Dixon stands out by reporting housing costs that are 44.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Dixon can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Dixon. The feedback revealed that 40% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 60% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Dixon 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 Dixon is 48.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 33.1% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Dixon has a median household income of $69,620, which is 14.4% 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.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Dixon, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 4.95%.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Dixon, the groceries index is 2.5% lower than the national average.
The Dixon 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 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 | $100,878 | $8,407 | $2,354 | $3,027 |
| Renters | $38,474 | $3,206 | $898 | $1,154 |
| 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. |
| Harmon, IL | 150 | 84 | 16.0% |
| Rock Falls, IL | 9,152 | 82 | 18.2% |
| Nelson, IL | 138 | 83 | 16.8% |
| Franklin Grove, IL | 975 | 86 | 14.1% |
| Mount Morris, IL | 3,277 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Dixon, IL | 16,145 | 85 | 15.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Dentsville, SC | 16,145 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Springfield, MB | 16,146 | n/a | |
| Parlier, CA | 16,139 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Mebane, NC | 16,152 | 101 | 1.1% |
| Morton, IL | 16,134 | 102 | 1.6% |
| Dixon, IL | 16,145 | 85 | 15.1% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Illinois
See the best places to live in Dixon
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Illinois