D+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
41%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Gages Lake Illinois National
Cost of living11798100
Goods & Services11098100
Groceries104100100
Health care116102100
Housing14195100
Transportation104102100
Utilities9598100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Gages Lake, IL

Knowing the cost of living in Gages Lake allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Gages Lake stands at 117, marking it 17% higher than the national average.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Gages Lake cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 40.9% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Gages Lake, you you will have to spend 10.2% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Gages Lake Affordable?

Is Gages Lake 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 Gages Lake is 34.4% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 56.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Gages Lake has a median household income of $141,682, which is 74.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Gages Lake?

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Gages Lake starts at 6.25% and the income tax rates start at 4.95%.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Gages Lake, the transportation index is 4.3% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Gages Lake, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Gages Lake is 19% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Gages Lake is 17% higher than the national average
  • Gages Lake housing is 41% higher than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 91% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Gages Lake

See all the best places to live around Gages Lake

Compare Gages Lake, IL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$152,915$12,743$3,568$4,588
      Renters$87,433$7,286$2,040$2,623
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Gages Lake, IL, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Gages Lake, the median monthly income is $152,915 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,568 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $87,433, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $2,040 on monthly rental expenses.

      Illinois Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Illinois 6.25% 10.25%

      Illinois Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Illinois 4.95% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Gages Lake National avg. Difference
      Haircut $49.08$27.6277.7%
      Beauty Salon $68.42$51.1133.9%
      Toothpaste $4.13$4.090.9%
      Shampoo $1.56$1.541.2%
      Movie $17.42$12.8835.3%
      Yoga $28.87$19.6646.8%

      Groceries

      Item Gages Lake National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.53$7.702.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.56$1.666.2%
      Milk $4.88$4.733.1%
      Potatoes $5.20$5.261.1%
      Pizza $13.97$12.769.5%
      Beer $10.56$10.550.1%

      Health Care

      Item Gages Lake National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $208.97$140.0649.2%
      Doctor $194.67$153.8226.6%
      Dentist $135.44$123.1510.0%
      Ibuprofen $12.22$11.734.2%
      Lipitor $24.14$23.612.2%

      Housing

      Item Gages Lake National avg. Difference
      Home Price $438,890.00$326,622.0034.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,929.74$2,480.2518.1%
      Apartment Rent $2,254.00$1,444.0056.1%

      Transportation

      Item Gages Lake National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.064.7%
      Tire Balancing $67.63$65.213.7%

      Utilities

      Item Gages Lake National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $188.44$220.1214.4%
      Phone $213.97$195.719.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Park City, IL7,8948614.4%
      North Chicago, IL30,865981.5%
      Round Lake Park, IL8,005991.0%
      Waukegan, IL90,0631000.2%
      Zion, IL24,329945.8%
      Gages Lake, IL10,17211716.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Charter Oak, CA10,17214948.6%
      Wimauma, FL10,1721088.1%
      Ramara, ON10,171n/a 
      Russellville, AL10,1748019.8%
      Denham Springs, LA10,174936.9%
      Gages Lake, IL10,17211716.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.