Cost of Living in Dolton, IL

With a cost of living index of 90, Dolton, IL is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 10% cheaper than the national average and 10% above the Illinois state average of 80. Dolton is a smaller community of 20,979 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Dolton's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,399 (6% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $140,500 (54% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.4x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Dolton is $58,706, which is 22% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 29% 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.