| Index | Oak Park | California | National |
| Cost of living | 201 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 392 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 123 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 122 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 125 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 124 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Oak Park 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 Oak Park stands at 201, marking it 101% higher than the national average.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Oak Park may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Oak Park falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Oak Park, 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 292.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Oak Park, you can expect to spend 10.2% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Oak Park is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 11.5% higher than the national average.
Is Oak Park affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Oak Park, for instance, where the median home price falls 343.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 173% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Oak Park flaunting a median household income of $203,602, 150.3% higher than the national norm.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Oak Park, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Oak Park, healthcare costs are 19.8% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Oak Park are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across 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 | $235,159 | $19,597 | $5,487 | $7,055 |
| Renters | $158,655 | $13,221 | $3,702 | $4,760 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fillmore, CA | 16,243 | 145 | 44.6% |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 218,105 | 165 | 65.4% |
| Santa Susana, CA | 953 | 172 | 71.8% |
| Simi Valley, CA | 130,307 | 176 | 76.0% |
| Casa Conejo, CA | 3,295 | 176 | 76.0% |
| Oak Park, CA | 14,446 | 201 | 100.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hudson, WI | 14,446 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Jericho, NY | 14,448 | 194 | 93.5% |
| Pierre, SD | 14,450 | 97 | 3.2% |
| Youngsville, LA | 14,439 | 107 | 6.5% |
| Wixom, MI | 14,439 | 104 | 3.6% |
| Oak Park, CA | 14,446 | 201 | 100.7% |
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