C
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
30%
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 Grayslake Illinois National
Cost of living11398100
Goods & Services11098100
Groceries104100100
Health care116102100
Housing13095100
Transportation104102100
Utilities9598100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Grayslake, IL

Knowing the cost of living in Grayslake 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 Grayslake stands at 113, marking it 13% higher than the national average.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Grayslake, 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 29.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Grayslake, these items will cost you 10.2% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

Is Grayslake Affordable?

Wondering if Grayslake 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 Grayslake, for example, the median home price is 34.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 18.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Grayslake boasting a median household income of $150,870, which is 85.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Grayslake?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Grayslake, the utilities index is 5.5% lower than the national average.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Grayslake, the transportation index is 4.3% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Grayslake displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Grayslake is 16% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Grayslake is 13% higher than the national average
  • Grayslake housing is 30% 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 Grayslake

See all the best places to live around Grayslake

Compare Grayslake, 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$180,226$15,019$4,205$5,407
      Renters$93,124$7,760$2,173$2,794
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Grayslake, 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 Grayslake, the median monthly income is $180,226 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $4,205 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $93,124, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $2,173 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 Grayslake 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 Grayslake 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 Grayslake 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 Grayslake National avg. Difference
      Home Price $439,224.00$326,622.0034.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,929.74$2,480.2518.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,707.00$1,444.0018.2%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Grayslake 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%
      Grayslake, IL21,18711313.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Esquimalt, BC21,191n/a 
      North Salt Lake, UT21,17812120.7%
      Lockport, NY21,1778614.2%
      Forest Lake, MN21,19911313.1%
      Universal City, TX21,174982.2%
      Grayslake, IL21,18711313.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.