| Index | Western Springs | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 158 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 296 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 100 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Western Springs can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Western Springs cost of living index is 158, which is 58% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Western Springs 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, Western Springs 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 Western Springs, 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 195.6% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Western Springs an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Western Springs is 231.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 112.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Western Springs has a median household income of $278,415, which is 242.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Western Springs, healthcare costs are 2.8% lower than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Western Springs, the housing index stands at 195.6% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Western Springs, the transportation index is 1.4% lower than the national average.
The Western Springs cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical 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 | $275,374 | $22,948 | $6,425 | $8,262 |
| Renters | $79,763 | $6,647 | $1,861 | $2,393 |
| 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. |
| Hodgkins, IL | 1,817 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Phoenix, IL | 1,450 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Dixmoor, IL | 3,663 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Harvey, IL | 24,931 | 87 | 13.2% |
| Hometown, IL | 4,350 | 89 | 11.2% |
| Western Springs, IL | 13,775 | 158 | 58.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Whitehall, PA | 13,775 | 97 | 3.3% |
| Lyndhurst, OH | 13,763 | 96 | 4.2% |
| South Park Township, PA | 13,760 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Santa Fe, TX | 13,759 | 100 | 0.0% |
| Newington, VA | 13,791 | 144 | 44.1% |
| Western Springs, IL | 13,775 | 158 | 58.1% |