Cost of Living in Darien, IL

Population 21,855 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

127
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Darien is a smaller Illinois community of around 22000 residents, where median household incomes of $109,354 and housing costs ($386,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Darien sits roughly 9 miles east of Naperville. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Naperville's $510,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 127
Rent 127

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

About the Cost of Living in Darien

The median home value in Darien is $386,400 — 27% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,671/month, 27% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $109,354/year is 47% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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, Darien has a cost of living index of 127 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$386,400
27% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$439,379
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,671/mo
27% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,164/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3x
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 78.5%
Renter-occupied 21.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,671
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,285/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
32.1 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.4%
Carpooled
6.1%
Public transit
2.6%
Walked
0.7%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
19.0%

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
$109,354
47% above avg
Per Capita Income
$53,601
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
18% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Labor Force Participation
66.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.8%
Graduate degree 19.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.8
Male median age 44.7
Female median age 45.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 53 — Moderate
40%
Good air days/yr
234
Max AQI recorded
264
PM2.5 days
101
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Darien, IL?

Darien has a cost index of 127 (100 = national average). It is 27% above the national average.

What is average rent in Darien, IL?

The median gross rent in Darien is $1,671 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Darien?

The median home value in Darien is $386,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Darien?

The median household income in Darien is $109,354 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Darien, IL?

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

Is Darien, IL affordable?

Darien is above average in cost of living, with an index of 127 — about 27% higher than the national average.

Darien at a Glance

Population
21,855
Median Income
$109,354
Home Value
$386,400
Median Rent
$1,671/mo
Unemployment
3.9%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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