Illinois

Illinois is about 4% more expensive than the national average. Across the 12 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 104, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in Illinois averages $1,233 a month across the 12 cities we track as of September 2026, 36% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 7th lowest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 12 cities we track in Illinois, Springfield has the lowest cost of living index at 82. The lowest typical rent is in Carbondale, at $811 a month.

Chicago has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Illinois, at 110. The highest typical rent is in Chicago, at $2,163 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $4.43 a gallon in Illinois as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 11% above the national average of $3.98. That is the 7th most expensive of 51 states.

Rent in Illinois rose an average of 5.0% over the past year across the 12 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in Illinois averages 19.3 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $174.

Full coverage car insurance in Illinois averages $1,980 a year, or about $165 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is near the middle of 51 states.