Oak Forest, IL Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Oak Forest, IL Summary

Cost of living in Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest is 105, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Oak Forest is 1.1x higher than the national average.

  • Oak Forest ranks as the #185 cheapest in Illinois out of 336.

  • Oak Forest ranks as the #3,177 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Oak Forest is $286,537.

  • The median income in Oak Forest is $87,941.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
105
Oak Forest's Overall Cost Of Living
1.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Oak Forest, IL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Oak Forest has an overall cost of living index of 105, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Illinois, Oak Forest has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Illinois's index of 97.

The standard of living in Oak Forest ranks as #185 most affordable out of the 336 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies Oak Forest ranks as the #151 most expensive place in the Prairie State.

For more reading on life in Oak Forest, check out:

185 out of 336
In Illinois
3,177 out of 6,489
In America

Oak Forest Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois

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

  • The Services index in Oak Forest is 107.

  • The Groceries index in Oak Forest is 96.

  • The Health index in Oak Forest is 96.

  • The Housing index in Oak Forest is 111.

  • The Transportation index in Oak Forest is 114.

  • The Utilities index in Oak Forest is 81.

Living Expense Oak Forest Illinois National Average
Overall 105 97 100
Services 107 95 100
Groceries 96 99 100
Health 96 93 100
Housing 111 95 100
Transportation 114 102 100
Utilities 81 91 100
For more reading on cost of living around Illinois, check out:
Oak Forest Cost of Living Vs. IL

Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest is $286,537.

  • The Median Rent in Oak Forest is $1,287.

  • The Median Income in Oak Forest is $87,941.

  • The Home Value To Income in Oak Forest is 3.3x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Oak Forest is 0.18x.

Statistic Oak Forest Illinois United States
Median Home Value $286,537 $283,508 $303,400
Median Rent $1,287 $1,227 $1,348
Median Income $87,941 $81,702 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.3x 3.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.18x 0.18x 0.21x
$286,537
Median Home Value
$1,287
Median Rent
$87,941
Median Income

Oak Forest, IL Costs By Category

Detailed Oak Forest Services Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Oak Forest Illinois
Shampoo $1.32 $1.28
Movie $9.99 $12.13
Bowling $16.0 $18
Haircut $19.72 $24.26
Beauty Salon $37.22 $45.56

Detailed Oak Forest Groceries Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Oak Forest Illinois
Ground Beef $5.94 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.39 $1.57
Milk $4.55 $4.67
Potatoes $5.08 $4.93
Pizza $10.69 $12.09
Beer $9.61 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.72 $3.7

Detailed Oak Forest Health Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Oak Forest Illinois
Optometrist $86.67 $125.68
Doctor $110.0 $135.78
Dentist $82.0 $113.29

Detailed Oak Forest Transportation Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Oak Forest Illinois
Gasoline $3.52 $3.46
Tire Balancing $45.0 $59.92

Detailed Oak Forest Utilities Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Oak Forest Illinois
All Electricity $156.87 $193.99
Phone $198.03 $192.25

Oak Forest SnackAbility

9
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
8
Affordability
8
Diversity
8.5
Safety
8.5
Amenities
9.5
Education
8
Commute
4

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Oak Forest

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

  • Tinley Park, IL has a cost of living index of 109, 1.0x Oak Forest.

  • Downers Grove, IL has a cost of living index of 125, 1.2x Oak Forest.

  • Westmont, IL has a cost of living index of 119, 1.1x Oak Forest.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Oak Forest
Tinley Park, IL 55,007 109 1.0x
Downers Grove, IL 49,867 125 1.2x
Westmont, IL 24,201 119 1.1x
Darien, IL 21,855 121 1.2x
Alsip, IL 18,650 102 1.0x
Hinsdale, IL 17,155 191 1.8x
Country Club Hills, IL 16,419 98 0.9x
La Grange, IL 15,999 144 1.4x
Midlothian, IL 14,024 103 1.0x
Hazel Crest, IL 13,493 96 0.9x

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