C-
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
34%
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 Streamwood Illinois National
Cost of living11498100
Goods & Services11098100
Groceries104100100
Health care116102100
Housing13495100
Transportation104102100
Utilities9598100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Streamwood, IL

The cost of living in Streamwood affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Streamwood is 114, which is 14% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Streamwood 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 33.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Streamwood, you you will have to spend 10.2% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Streamwood Affordable?

Wondering if Streamwood 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 Streamwood, for example, the median home price is 14.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 77.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Streamwood boasting a median household income of $130,562, which is 60.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Streamwood?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Streamwood, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 4.95%.

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 Streamwood, the utilities index registers at 5.5% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Streamwood, the groceries index is 3.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Streamwood, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Streamwood is 17% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Streamwood is 14% higher than the national average
  • Streamwood housing is 34% 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 Streamwood

See all the best places to live around Streamwood

Compare Streamwood, IL Cost of Living

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      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$140,078$11,673$3,268$4,203
      Renters$103,678$8,640$2,419$3,111
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Streamwood, IL, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Streamwood, homeowners have a median income of $140,078. Using that number, a maximum of $3,268 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $103,678, which means there is a maximum of $2,419 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Streamwood 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 Streamwood 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 Streamwood 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 Streamwood National avg. Difference
      Home Price $375,058.00$326,622.0014.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,929.74$2,480.2518.1%
      Apartment Rent $2,562.00$1,444.0077.4%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Streamwood 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.
      Berkeley, IL5,2661044.2%
      Northlake, IL12,6961065.7%
      Carpentersville, IL38,3831076.8%
      Elgin, IL115,3361088.0%
      Hillside, IL8,1311088.2%
      Streamwood, IL41,39711414.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      The Acreage, FL41,41313029.7%
      Gallatin, TN41,3721066.0%
      Huber Heights, OH41,362955.0%
      Holyoke, MA41,4391077.1%
      Cape Girardeau, MO41,479909.6%
      Streamwood, IL41,39711414.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.