Princeton, IL Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Princeton, IL Summary

Cost of living in Princeton 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 Princeton 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 Princeton is 87, with 100 being the average.

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

  • Princeton ranks as the #62 cheapest in Illinois out of 336.

  • Princeton ranks as the #777 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Princeton is $167,545.

  • The median income in Princeton is $57,682.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
87
Princeton's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Princeton, IL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Princeton has an overall cost of living index of 87, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Illinois, Princeton has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Illinois's index of 97.

The standard of living in Princeton ranks as #62 most affordable out of the 336 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies Princeton ranks as the #274 most expensive place in the Prairie State.

For more reading on life in Princeton, check out:

62 out of 336
In Illinois
777 out of 6,489
In America

Princeton Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois

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

  • The Services index in Princeton is 92.

  • The Groceries index in Princeton is 97.

  • The Health index in Princeton is 84.

  • The Housing index in Princeton is 65.

  • The Transportation index in Princeton is 101.

  • The Utilities index in Princeton is 89.

Living Expense Princeton Illinois National Average
Overall 87 97 100
Services 92 95 100
Groceries 97 99 100
Health 84 93 100
Housing 65 95 100
Transportation 101 102 100
Utilities 89 91 100
For more reading on cost of living around Illinois, check out:
Princeton Cost of Living Vs. IL

Princeton, 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 Princeton is $167,545.

  • The Median Rent in Princeton is $739.

  • The Median Income in Princeton is $57,682.

  • The Home Value To Income in Princeton is 2.9x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Princeton is 0.15x.

Statistic Princeton Illinois United States
Median Home Value $167,545 $283,508 $303,400
Median Rent $739 $1,227 $1,348
Median Income $57,682 $81,702 $78,538
Home Value To Income 2.9x 3.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.15x 0.18x 0.21x
$167,545
Median Home Value
$739
Median Rent
$57,682
Median Income

Princeton, IL Costs By Category

Detailed Princeton Services Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Princeton Illinois
Shampoo $1.35 $1.28
Movie $9.91 $12.13
Bowling $15.0 $18
Haircut $25.0 $24.26
Beauty Salon $39.0 $45.56

Detailed Princeton Groceries Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Princeton Illinois
Ground Beef $6.23 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.61 $1.57
Milk $4.74 $4.67
Potatoes $4.97 $4.93
Pizza $12.49 $12.09
Beer $10.32 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.8 $3.7

Detailed Princeton Health Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Princeton Illinois
Optometrist $119.25 $125.68
Doctor $128.33 $135.78
Dentist $81.17 $113.29

Detailed Princeton Transportation Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Princeton Illinois
Gasoline $3.68 $3.46
Tire Balancing $53.33 $59.92

Detailed Princeton Utilities Costs Vs. Illinois

Item Princeton Illinois
All Electricity $158.51 $193.99
Phone $197.49 $192.25

Princeton SnackAbility

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
7/10
Housing
5
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
4
Safety
8.5
Amenities
8
Education
8
Commute
9.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Princeton

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

  • East Peoria, IL has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Princeton.

  • Ottawa, IL has a cost of living index of 94, 1.1x Princeton.

  • Washington, IL has a cost of living index of 95, 1.1x Princeton.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Princeton
East Peoria, IL 22,485 90 1.0x
Ottawa, IL 18,714 94 1.1x
Washington, IL 15,946 95 1.1x
Peru, IL 9,863 89 1.0x
Silvis, IL 7,939 93 1.1x
Sandwich, IL 7,121 101 1.2x
Geneseo, IL 6,577 94 1.1x
Chillicothe, IL 6,185 86 1.0x
Colona, IL 5,189 93 1.1x
Eureka, IL 5,095 89 1.0x

Articles About Illinois

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