Cost of Living in Fox Lake, IL

Population 10,872 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

75
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Fox Lake stay well under national norms: a median home value of $219,000 against median household incomes of $69,896 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Illinois.

Fox Lake is about 30 miles north of Elgin, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 13% lower than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 72
Rent 81

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

About the Cost of Living in Fox Lake

The median home value in Fox Lake is $219,300 — 28% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,059/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,896/year is 6% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, 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, Fox Lake has a cost of living index of 75 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$219,300
28% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$907,394
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,059/mo
19% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3x
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 66.2%
Renter-occupied 33.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,059
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,673/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
37.5 min
39% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.5%
Carpooled
9.9%
Public transit
2.1%
Walked
1.4%
Work from home
11.3%

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
$69,896
6% below avg
Per Capita Income
$42,049
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
6% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor Force Participation
64.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.8%
Graduate degree 7.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.3
Male median age 40.7
Female median age 48

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
74.9%
Good air days/yr
179
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
243
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fox Lake has a cost index of 75 (100 = national average). It is 25% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fox Lake, IL?

The median gross rent in Fox Lake is $1,059 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fox Lake?

The median home value in Fox Lake is $219,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fox Lake?

The median household income in Fox Lake is $69,896 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fox Lake, IL?

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

Is Fox Lake, IL affordable?

Yes, Fox Lake is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 75 — about 25% below the US national average of 100.

Fox Lake at a Glance

Population
10,872
Median Income
$69,896
Home Value
$219,300
Median Rent
$1,059/mo
Unemployment
4.5%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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