Cost of Living in Crystal Lake, IL

Population 40,436 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

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

Crystal Lake lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $287,000 — 6% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Illinois.

Crystal Lake sits roughly 13 miles north of Elgin — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 14% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Crystal Lake

The median home value in Crystal Lake is $287,400 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,431/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $105,428/year is 41% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, 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, Crystal Lake has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$287,400
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$367,174
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,431/mo
9% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,084/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7x
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 78.0%
Renter-occupied 21.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,431
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,045/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
32.2 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.1%
Carpooled
8.6%
Public transit
1.9%
Walked
1.2%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
13.9%

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
$105,428
41% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,199
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
4% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Labor Force Participation
70.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.8%
Graduate degree 13.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.5
Male median age 38.9
Female median age 39.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
52.3%
Good air days/yr
230
Max AQI recorded
247
PM2.5 days
118
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Crystal Lake, IL?

Crystal Lake has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.

What is average rent in Crystal Lake, IL?

The median gross rent in Crystal Lake is $1,431 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Crystal Lake?

The median home value in Crystal Lake is $287,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Crystal Lake?

The median household income in Crystal Lake is $105,428 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Crystal Lake, IL?

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

Is Crystal Lake, IL affordable?

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

Crystal Lake at a Glance

Population
40,436
Median Income
$105,428
Home Value
$287,400
Median Rent
$1,431/mo
Unemployment
4.6%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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