F
36%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
118%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Glen Ellyn Illinois National
Cost of living13698100
Groceries101100100
Health care102100100
Housing21895100
Transportation100101100
Utilities10099100
Lifestyle & Entertainment101100100
Household Items102100100
Education & Childcare95100100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Glen Ellyn, IL

Knowing the cost of living in Glen Ellyn 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 Glen Ellyn stands at 136, marking it 36% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Glen Ellyn may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Glen Ellyn falls within this bracket.

When it comes to the cost of living in Glen Ellyn, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 118.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Glen Ellyn Affordable?

Is Glen Ellyn an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Glen Ellyn, the median home price is 162.5% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 14.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Glen Ellyn come in at $177,846, which is 118.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Glen Ellyn?

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 Glen Ellyn, the transportation index is 0.5% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Glen Ellyn, the groceries index is 0.5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Glen Ellyn comes in at 0.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Glen Ellyn 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 Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Glen Ellyn is 38% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Glen Ellyn is 36% higher than the national average
  • Glen Ellyn housing is 118% 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 Glen Ellyn

See all the best places to live around Glen Ellyn

Compare Glen Ellyn, IL Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$235,406$19,617$5,492$7,063
      Renters$72,306$6,026$1,687$2,169
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Glen Ellyn, IL, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Glen Ellyn, homeowners have a median income of $235,406. Using that number, a maximum of $5,492 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $72,306, which means there is a maximum of $1,687 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hodgkins, IL1,8178316.9%
      Maywood, IL23,986963.6%
      Chicago Ridge, IL14,340991.3%
      Broadview, IL7,841990.9%
      Bellwood, IL19,287991.0%
      Glen Ellyn, IL28,82813635.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Enterprise, AL28,827955.4%
      Winchester, VA28,82511111.3%
      Saratoga Springs, NY28,83213333.1%
      East Chicago, IN28,8358217.8%
      Burlington, MA28,82016565.4%
      Glen Ellyn, IL28,82813635.5%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.