| Index | Rolling Meadows | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 111 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 139 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 100 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Rolling Meadows is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Rolling Meadows is 111, which is 11% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Rolling Meadows cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 39% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Rolling Meadows 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 Rolling Meadows, for instance, where the median home price falls 35.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 46.6% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Rolling Meadows flaunting a median household income of $117,619, 44.6% higher than the national norm.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Rolling Meadows, the housing index comes in at 39% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Rolling Meadows, the groceries index registers 0.4% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Rolling Meadows 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.
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| Groceries index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $122,378 | $10,198 | $2,855 | $3,672 |
| Renters | $96,034 | $8,003 | $2,241 | $2,881 |
| 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. |
| Maywood, IL | 23,986 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Broadview, IL | 7,841 | 99 | 0.9% |
| Bellwood, IL | 19,287 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Berkeley, IL | 5,266 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Stone Park, IL | 4,997 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Rolling Meadows, IL | 24,129 | 111 | 10.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fish Hawk, FL | 24,122 | 131 | 30.8% |
| Stoneham, MA | 24,138 | 154 | 53.7% |
| Columbus, NE | 24,141 | 93 | 6.7% |
| Loves Park, IL | 24,142 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Kerrville, TX | 24,145 | 104 | 3.8% |
| Rolling Meadows, IL | 24,129 | 111 | 10.7% |