Cost of Living in Chicago Heights, IL

With a cost of living index of 80, Chicago Heights, IL is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 20% cheaper than the national average and in line with the Illinois state average. With a population of 26,938, Chicago Heights is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Chicago Heights's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,035 (22% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $149,900 (51% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.6x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Chicago Heights is $57,479, which is 24% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 22% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.