North Chicago, IL Cost Of Living

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In North Chicago, IL Summary

Cost of living in North Chicago research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means North Chicago is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Illinois, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in North Chicago is 95, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in North Chicago is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • North Chicago ranks as the #115 cheapest in Illinois out of 336.

  • North Chicago ranks as the #1,954 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in North Chicago is $207,999.

  • The median income in North Chicago is $56,815.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
95
North Chicago's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in North Chicago, IL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, North Chicago has an overall cost of living index of 95, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Illinois, North Chicago has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Illinois's index of 97.

The standard of living in North Chicago ranks as #115 most affordable out of the 336 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies North Chicago ranks as the #221 most expensive place in the Prairie State.

For more reading on life in North Chicago, check out:

115 out of 336
In Illinois
1,954 out of 6,489
In America

North Chicago Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in North Chicago. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in North Chicago is 107.

  • The Groceries index in North Chicago is 106.

  • The Health index in North Chicago is 106.

  • The Housing index in North Chicago is 82.

  • The Transportation index in North Chicago is 109.

  • The Utilities index in North Chicago is 90.

Living Expense North Chicago Illinois National Average
Overall 95 97 100
Services 107 95 100
Groceries 106 99 100
Health 106 93 100
Housing 82 95 100
Transportation 109 102 100
Utilities 90 91 100
For more reading on cost of living around Illinois, check out:
North Chicago Cost of Living Vs. IL

North Chicago, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in North Chicago is $207,999.

  • The Median Rent in North Chicago is $1,392.

  • The Median Income in North Chicago is $56,815.

  • The Home Value To Income in North Chicago is 3.7x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in North Chicago is 0.29x.

Statistic North Chicago Illinois United States
Median Home Value $207,999 $283,508 $303,400
Median Rent $1,392 $1,227 $1,348
Median Income $56,815 $81,702 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.7x 3.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.29x 0.18x 0.21x
$207,999
Median Home Value
$1,392
Median Rent
$56,815
Median Income

North Chicago, IL Costs By Category

Detailed North Chicago Services Costs Vs. Illinois

Item North Chicago Illinois
Shampoo $1.27 $1.28
Movie $17.91 $12.13
Bowling $24.58 $18
Haircut $33.69 $24.26
Beauty Salon $53.44 $45.56

Detailed North Chicago Groceries Costs Vs. Illinois

Item North Chicago Illinois
Ground Beef $5.28 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.42 $1.57
Milk $4.87 $4.67
Potatoes $4.9 $4.93
Pizza $13.41 $12.09
Beer $10.0 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.75 $3.7

Detailed North Chicago Health Costs Vs. Illinois

Item North Chicago Illinois
Optometrist $118.27 $125.68
Doctor $167.67 $135.78
Dentist $128.22 $113.29

Detailed North Chicago Transportation Costs Vs. Illinois

Item North Chicago Illinois
Gasoline $3.56 $3.46
Tire Balancing $70.87 $59.92

Detailed North Chicago Utilities Costs Vs. Illinois

Item North Chicago Illinois
All Electricity $148.58 $193.99
Phone $210.03 $192.25

North Chicago SnackAbility

7
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
8
Affordability
6
Diversity
10
Safety
N/A
Amenities
9.5
Education
6
Commute
9

Cost Of Living In Cities Around North Chicago

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around North Chicago. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Waukegan, IL has a cost of living index of 97, 1.0x North Chicago.

  • Arlington Heights, IL has a cost of living index of 124, 1.3x North Chicago.

  • Glenview, IL has a cost of living index of 149, 1.6x North Chicago.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. North Chicago
Waukegan, IL 88,919 97 1.0x
Arlington Heights, IL 76,220 124 1.3x
Glenview, IL 47,682 149 1.6x
Buffalo Grove, IL 42,824 125 1.3x
Northbrook, IL 34,642 153 1.6x
Gurnee, IL 30,486 117 1.2x
Highland Park, IL 30,229 148 1.6x
Wilmette, IL 27,550 164 1.7x
Libertyville, IL 20,493 135 1.4x
Lake Zurich, IL 19,727 127 1.3x

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