Cost of Living in Calumet City, IL

Population 35,253 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Calumet City is effectively a commuter community: the average resident spends 37 minutes each way getting to work, well above the 27-minute US median. Housing costs ($134,000 for a typical home) tend to reflect the tradeoff between price and access. At 9.4%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 20 miles southeast of Chicago, Calumet City falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 58% lower than Chicago's $315,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 44
Rent 87

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

About the Cost of Living in Calumet City

The median home value in Calumet City is $133,600 — 56% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,138/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,991/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.4%, 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, Calumet City has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$133,600
56% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$151,309
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,138/mo
13% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,697/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.8x
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 55.9%
Renter-occupied 44.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,138
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,752/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
36.6 min
36% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.0%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
8.1%
Walked
2.2%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
7.7%

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
$53,991
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,232
Unemployment Rate
9.4%
96% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.3%
Labor Force Participation
63.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.9%
Graduate degree 6.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.8
Male median age 32
Female median age 42.1

💨 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 Calumet City, IL?

Calumet City has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Calumet City, IL?

The median gross rent in Calumet City is $1,138 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Calumet City?

The median home value in Calumet City is $133,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Calumet City?

The median household income in Calumet City is $53,991 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Calumet City, IL?

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

Is Calumet City, IL affordable?

Yes, Calumet City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

Calumet City at a Glance

Population
35,253
Median Income
$53,991
Home Value
$133,600
Median Rent
$1,138/mo
Unemployment
9.4%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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