Cost of Living in Berwyn, IL

Population 55,888 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Berwyn lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $286,000 — 6% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Illinois. At 6.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 5 miles west of Chicago, Berwyn falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Chicago's $315,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 89

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

About the Cost of Living in Berwyn

The median home value in Berwyn is $286,000 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,175/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $75,235/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.3%, above 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, Berwyn has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$286,000
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$300,873
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,175/mo
11% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,305/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3x
Favors renting
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 61.1%
Renter-occupied 38.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,175
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,789/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
32.8 min
21% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.6%
Carpooled
12.1%
Public transit
8.0%
Walked
2.6%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
10.2%

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
$75,235
1% above avg
Per Capita Income
$34,197
Unemployment Rate
6.3%
30% above avg
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Labor Force Participation
69.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.0%
Graduate degree 8.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 35.8
Female median age 37.7

💨 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 Berwyn, IL?

Berwyn has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Berwyn, IL?

The median gross rent in Berwyn is $1,175 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Berwyn?

The median home value in Berwyn is $286,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Berwyn?

The median household income in Berwyn is $75,235 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Berwyn, IL?

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

Is Berwyn, IL affordable?

Berwyn is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

Berwyn at a Glance

Population
55,888
Median Income
$75,235
Home Value
$286,000
Median Rent
$1,175/mo
Unemployment
6.3%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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