| Index | Elmhurst | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 135 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 214 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 100 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst cost of living index is 135, which is 35% higher 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.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Elmhurst may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Elmhurst falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs significantly influence the Elmhurst 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 114.1%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Wondering if Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst, for example, the median home price is 139.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 54.3% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Elmhurst boasting a median household income of $184,404, which is 126.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Elmhurst, the transportation index is 1.6% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Elmhurst, the groceries index registers 0.8% higher than the national average.
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 Elmhurst, the housing index is 114.1% higher than the national average.
The Elmhurst 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $208,901 | $17,408 | $4,874 | $6,268 |
| Renters | $94,294 | $7,858 | $2,200 | $2,829 |
| 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% |
| Merrionette Park, IL | 2,017 | 93 | 6.6% |
| Maywood, IL | 23,986 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Chicago Ridge, IL | 14,340 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Elmhurst, IL | 48,413 | 135 | 34.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Keller, TX | 48,412 | 134 | 33.5% |
| Ocoee, FL | 48,411 | 116 | 16.4% |
| Roseville, MI | 48,471 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Charleston, WV | 48,539 | 92 | 8.1% |
| Euclid, OH | 48,275 | 85 | 15.0% |
| Elmhurst, IL | 48,413 | 135 | 34.6% |
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