| Index | Zion | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 86 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 100 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Zion 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 Zion is 96, which is 4% lower 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.
In Zion, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Zion will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Zion 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 Zion is 26% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 14.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Zion has a median household income of $85,931, which is 5.7% 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.
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 Zion, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 4.95%.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Zion, the groceries index is 1.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Zion 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.
| 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 | $105,287 | $8,774 | $2,457 | $3,159 |
| Renters | $48,205 | $4,017 | $1,125 | $1,446 |
| 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. |
| Park City, IL | 7,894 | 82 | 18.2% |
| North Chicago, IL | 30,865 | 95 | 5.0% |
| Round Lake Park, IL | 8,005 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Waukegan, IL | 90,063 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Kenosha, WI | 102,872 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Zion, IL | 24,329 | 96 | 3.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Windsor, CO | 24,324 | 137 | 37.4% |
| Searcy, AR | 24,322 | 91 | 9.4% |
| Romulus, MI | 24,336 | 89 | 10.6% |
| Anthem, AZ | 24,320 | 130 | 29.6% |
| Allendale, MI | 24,346 | 103 | 2.6% |
| Zion, IL | 24,329 | 96 | 3.7% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
Check out the 10 safest cities in Illinois
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Illinois
These are the largest cities in Illinois