Cost of Living in Forest Park, IL
Population 14,000 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Forest Park sits on the smaller end of the Illinois city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Forest Park sits roughly 7 miles west of Chicago — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Chicago's $315,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Forest Park
The median home value in Forest Park is $293,800 — 4% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,352/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,323/year is 9% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, 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, Forest Park has a cost of living index of 99 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Forest Park, IL?
Forest Park has a cost index of 99 (100 = national average). It is 1% below the national average.
What is average rent in Forest Park, IL?
The median gross rent in Forest Park is $1,352 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Forest Park?
The median home value in Forest Park is $293,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Forest Park?
The median household income in Forest Park is $81,323 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Forest Park, IL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Forest Park is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Forest Park, IL affordable?
Forest Park is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 99 (100 = US average).
Forest Park at a Glance
- Population
- 14,000
- Median Income
- $81,323
- Home Value
- $293,800
- Median Rent
- $1,352/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.1%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Illinois Rankings
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