Cost of Living in Vandalia, IL

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A+
20%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
49%
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 Vandalia Illinois National
Cost of living8098100
Goods & Services8798100
Groceries99100100
Health care82102100
Housing5195100
Transportation95102100
Utilities10598100
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Homes For Sale In Vandalia, IL

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517 N Coles St

Vandalia, IL
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418 N 7th St

Vandalia, IL
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IL

Vandalia, IL
property for sale

1417 W Main St

Vandalia, IL
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Vandalia is 18% lower than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Vandalia is 20% lower than the national average
  • Vandalia housing is 49% lower 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 Vandalia

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Compare Vandalia, IL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$64,205$5,350$1,498$1,926
      Renters$33,204$2,767$775$996
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Vandalia, IL, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Vandalia have a median income of $64,205. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,498 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $33,204, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $775.

      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 Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.83$27.6228.2%
      Beauty Salon $39.00$51.1123.7%
      Toothpaste $4.04$4.091.3%
      Shampoo $1.57$1.541.8%
      Movie $10.16$12.8821.1%
      Yoga $18.67$19.665.0%

      Groceries

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.53$7.702.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.59$1.664.3%
      Milk $4.82$4.731.8%
      Potatoes $5.36$5.262.0%
      Pizza $11.59$12.769.2%
      Beer $10.13$10.554.0%

      Health Care

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $109.67$140.0621.7%
      Doctor $110.00$153.8228.5%
      Dentist $97.83$123.1520.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.57$11.731.4%
      Lipitor $20.60$23.6112.8%

      Housing

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $144,383.00$326,622.0055.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,269.35$2,480.2548.8%
      Apartment Rent $943.00$1,444.0034.7%

      Transportation

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.062.9%
      Tire Balancing $50.00$65.2123.3%

      Utilities

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $233.50$220.126.1%
      Phone $201.97$195.713.2%
      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.
      Bingham, IL90982.3%
      Smithboro, IL2227624.4%
      Coffeen, IL6597920.6%
      St. Peter, IL4567723.3%
      Kinmundy, IL9427822.4%
      Vandalia, IL6,8548020.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Contra Costa Centre, CA6,85418887.9%
      Hamilton, AL6,8537623.5%
      Notre Dame, IN6,853928.0%
      Logan, OH6,8538316.7%
      Folcroft, PA6,856990.7%
      Vandalia, IL6,8548020.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
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