What is the cost of living in Elmhurst, IL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Elmhurst has an overall cost of living index of 134, which is 1.3x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Illinois, Elmhurst has a cost of living index that's 1.4x higher than Illinois's index of 98.
The standard of living in Elmhurst ranks as #310 most affordable out of the 336 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies Elmhurst ranks as the #26 most expensive place in the Prairie State.
For more reading on life in Elmhurst, check out:
Elmhurst Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Elmhurst. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Elmhurst is 102.
The Groceries index in Elmhurst is 99.
The Health index in Elmhurst is 212.
The Housing index in Elmhurst is 104.
The Transportation index in Elmhurst is 101.
The Utilities index in Elmhurst is 102.
| Living Expense | Elmhurst | Illinois | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 134 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 212 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 101 | 100 |
Elmhurst Cost Of Living Compared To Illinois Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Illinois, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Elmhurst Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Elmhurst, IL Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Illinois, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Elmhurst is $613,207.
The Median Rent in Elmhurst is $1,975.
The Median Income in Elmhurst is $149,644.
The Home Value To Income in Elmhurst is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Elmhurst is 0.16x.
Elmhurst, IL Costs By Category
Detailed Elmhurst Services costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Elmhurst Groceries costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Elmhurst Health costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Elmhurst Transportation costs vs. Illinois
Elmhurst SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Elmhurst
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Elmhurst. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Glenview, IL has a cost of living index of 146, 1.1x Elmhurst.
Lombard, IL has a cost of living index of 117, 0.9x Elmhurst.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost of living index of 126, 0.9x Elmhurst.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Elmhurst |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenview, IL | 47,752 | 146 | 1.1x |
| Lombard, IL | 43,619 | 117 | 0.9x |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 42,891 | 126 | 0.9x |
| Park Ridge, IL | 38,667 | 135 | 1.0x |
| Addison, IL | 35,489 | 110 | 0.8x |
| Northbrook, IL | 34,585 | 151 | 1.1x |
| Glen Ellyn, IL | 28,390 | 137 | 1.0x |
| Wilmette, IL | 27,503 | 161 | 1.2x |
| Melrose Park, IL | 24,549 | 104 | 0.8x |
| Villa Park, IL | 22,345 | 112 | 0.8x |
