| Index | Downers Grove | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 125 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 186 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 100 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove is 125, which is 25% higher 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.
The cost of living in Downers Grove is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Downers Grove falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Downers Grove, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 85.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove, for instance, where the median home price falls 102.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 45.5% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Downers Grove flaunting a median household income of $144,374, 77.5% higher than the national norm.
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 Downers Grove, the transportation index stands at 1.4% lower than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Downers Grove, the housing index is 85.6% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
The Downers Grove 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 | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $171,995 | $14,333 | $4,013 | $5,160 |
| Renters | $77,964 | $6,497 | $1,819 | $2,339 |
| 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. |
| Hodgkins, IL | 1,817 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Hometown, IL | 4,350 | 89 | 11.2% |
| Maywood, IL | 23,986 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Crestwood, IL | 11,113 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Chicago Ridge, IL | 14,340 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Downers Grove, IL | 50,391 | 125 | 25.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Troy, NY | 50,436 | 102 | 2.2% |
| Bedford, TX | 50,460 | 106 | 5.9% |
| Antelope, CA | 50,311 | 136 | 35.9% |
| Cuyahoga Falls, OH | 50,241 | 91 | 8.7% |
| Portage, MI | 50,237 | 97 | 2.6% |
| Downers Grove, IL | 50,391 | 125 | 25.1% |
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