Cost of Living in Arlington Heights, IL

Population 76,220 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

132
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Arlington Heights cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $403,000, rents near $1,727 a month.

Geographically, Arlington Heights sits roughly 20 miles east of Elgin. Median home values run roughly 60% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 132
Rent 131

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Arlington Heights

The median home value in Arlington Heights is $403,200 — 32% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,727/month, 31% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $118,532/year is 59% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Arlington Heights has a cost of living index of 132 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$403,200
32% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$454,474
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,727/mo
31% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,895/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$651
1 BR
$741
2 BR
$899
3 BR
$1,196
4 BR
$1,364
Owner-occupied 73.3%
Renter-occupied 26.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,727
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,341/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.0 min
15% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
22.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.2%
Carpooled
6.0%
Public transit
4.8%
Walked
1.3%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
22.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$118,532
59% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,871
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
67.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 34.4%
Graduate degree 25.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.7
Male median age 40.9
Female median age 44

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 57 — Moderate
28.5%
Good air days/yr
223
Max AQI recorded
252
PM2.5 days
97
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Arlington Heights, IL?

Arlington Heights has a cost index of 132 (100 = national average). It is 32% above the national average.

What is average rent in Arlington Heights, IL?

The median gross rent in Arlington Heights is $1,727 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Arlington Heights?

The median home value in Arlington Heights is $403,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Arlington Heights?

The median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Arlington Heights, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Arlington Heights is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Arlington Heights, IL affordable?

Arlington Heights is above average in cost of living, with an index of 132 — about 32% higher than the national average.

Arlington Heights at a Glance

Population
76,220
Median Income
$118,532
Home Value
$403,200
Median Rent
$1,727/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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