Cost of Living in Darien, IL

With a cost of living index of 118, Darien, IL is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 18% more expensive than the national average and 38% above the Illinois state average of 80. Darien is a smaller community of 21,855 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Darien's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,671 (27% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $386,400 (27% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.5x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Darien is $109,354, which is 46% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 18% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

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.