| Index | Harvey | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 87 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 57 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 100 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Harvey? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Harvey stands at 87, making it 13% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Harvey stands out by reporting housing costs that are 43.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
Is Harvey affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Harvey, the median home price is 60.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 2.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Harvey boasting a median household income of $49,405, 39.3% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Harvey, the utilities index registers at 0.4% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Harvey, healthcare costs are 2.6% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living data for Harvey shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $73,718 | $6,143 | $1,720 | $2,212 |
| Renters | $30,152 | $2,513 | $703 | $905 |
| 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% |
| Ford Heights, IL | 2,801 | 83 | 16.6% |
| East Chicago, IN | 28,835 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Phoenix, IL | 1,450 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Dixmoor, IL | 3,663 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Harvey, IL | 24,931 | 87 | 13.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| San Benito, TX | 24,920 | 82 | 17.8% |
| North Potomac, MD | 24,916 | 174 | 74.3% |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 24,953 | 111 | 11.5% |
| Papillion, NE | 24,905 | 104 | 3.6% |
| Arnold, MD | 24,899 | 144 | 44.2% |
| Harvey, IL | 24,931 | 87 | 13.2% |