Cost of Living in Glenwood, IL

Population 8,620 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

86
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Glenwood stay well under national norms: a median home value of $183,000 against median household incomes of $71,376 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Illinois. At 16.5%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Glenwood sits roughly 20 miles south of Chicago — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 42% lower than Chicago's $315,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 125

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

About the Cost of Living in Glenwood

The median home value in Glenwood is $182,900 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,639/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,376/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 16.5%, 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, Glenwood has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$182,900
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$176,182
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,639/mo
25% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.3x
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 77.9%
Renter-occupied 22.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,639
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,253/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
34.7 min
29% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.2%
Carpooled
4.8%
Public transit
6.5%
Walked
8.0%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
10.6%

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
$71,376
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,180
Unemployment Rate
16.5%
243% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.6%
Graduate degree 12.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.3
Male median age 29.4
Female median age 47.6

💨 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 Glenwood, IL?

Glenwood has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Glenwood, IL?

The median gross rent in Glenwood is $1,639 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Glenwood?

The median home value in Glenwood is $182,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Glenwood?

The median household income in Glenwood is $71,376 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Glenwood, IL?

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

Is Glenwood, IL affordable?

Yes, Glenwood is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.

Glenwood at a Glance

Population
8,620
Median Income
$71,376
Home Value
$182,900
Median Rent
$1,639/mo
Unemployment
16.5%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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