What is the cost of living in Wheeling, IL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Wheeling has an overall cost of living index of 103, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Illinois, Wheeling has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Illinois's index of 98.
The standard of living in Wheeling ranks as #173 most affordable out of the 336 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies Wheeling ranks as the #163 most expensive place in the Prairie State.
For more reading on life in Wheeling, check out:
Wheeling Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Wheeling. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Wheeling is 98.
The Groceries index in Wheeling is 97.
The Health index in Wheeling is 115.
The Housing index in Wheeling is 101.
The Transportation index in Wheeling is 97.
The Utilities index in Wheeling is 98.
| Living Expense | Wheeling | Illinois | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 103 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 115 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 101 | 100 |
Wheeling 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 Wheeling Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Wheeling, 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 Wheeling is $305,781.
The Median Rent in Wheeling is $1,663.
The Median Income in Wheeling is $85,205.
The Home Value To Income in Wheeling is 3.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Wheeling is 0.23x.
Wheeling, IL Costs By Category
Detailed Wheeling Services costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Wheeling Groceries costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Wheeling Health costs vs. Illinois
Detailed Wheeling Transportation costs vs. Illinois
Wheeling SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Wheeling
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Wheeling. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost of living index of 125, 1.2x Wheeling.
Mount Prospect, IL has a cost of living index of 121, 1.2x Wheeling.
Glenview, IL has a cost of living index of 146, 1.4x Wheeling.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Wheeling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights, IL | 76,005 | 125 | 1.2x |
| Mount Prospect, IL | 55,472 | 121 | 1.2x |
| Glenview, IL | 47,752 | 146 | 1.4x |
| Elmhurst, IL | 45,671 | 134 | 1.3x |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 42,891 | 126 | 1.2x |
| Park Ridge, IL | 38,667 | 135 | 1.3x |
| Northbrook, IL | 34,585 | 151 | 1.5x |
| Highland Park, IL | 30,398 | 144 | 1.4x |
| Glen Ellyn, IL | 28,390 | 137 | 1.3x |
| Wilmette, IL | 27,503 | 161 | 1.6x |
