Cost of Living in DeKalb, IL

With a cost of living index of 84, DeKalb, IL is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 16% cheaper than the national average and 4% above the Illinois state average of 80. With a population of 40,464, DeKalb 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 DeKalb's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,030 (22% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $202,900 (33% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in DeKalb is $46,564, which is 38% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. 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.