| Index | Rantoul | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 87 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 59 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 100 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Rantoul? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Rantoul 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.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Rantoul are 40.9% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Wondering if Rantoul 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 Rantoul, for example, the median home price is 50.8% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 18% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Rantoul boasting a median household income of $61,214, which is 24.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Rantoul, healthcare costs are 1.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Rantoul, the transportation index stands at 1% lower 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 Rantoul cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $88,518 | $7,377 | $2,065 | $2,656 |
| Renters | $47,495 | $3,958 | $1,108 | $1,425 |
| 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. |
| Foosland, IL | 54 | 81 | 19.1% |
| Ludlow, IL | 442 | 81 | 18.7% |
| Rankin, IL | 535 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Elliott, IL | 316 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Loda, IL | 358 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Rantoul, IL | 13,263 | 87 | 12.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Miller Place, NY | 13,262 | 140 | 40.2% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 13,260 | 113 | 12.9% |
| New Carrollton, MD | 13,268 | 122 | 21.9% |
| Finneytown, OH | 13,269 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Lilburn, GA | 13,254 | 103 | 3.2% |
| Rantoul, IL | 13,263 | 87 | 12.7% |