Cost of Living in Gurnee, IL

Population 30,486 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

114
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Gurnee cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $331,000, rents near $1,594 a month.

Gurnee is about 30 miles northeast 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 31% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 109
Rent 121

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

About the Cost of Living in Gurnee

The median home value in Gurnee is $331,100 — 9% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,594/month, 21% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $121,410/year is 63% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, 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, Gurnee has a cost of living index of 114 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$331,100
9% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$364,251
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,594/mo
21% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,828/mo
Zillow ZORI
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 74.4%
Renter-occupied 25.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,594
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,208/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
30.6 min
13% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.2%
Carpooled
7.8%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
17.8%

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
$121,410
63% above avg
Per Capita Income
$57,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
21% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor Force Participation
70.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.1%
Graduate degree 21.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.4
Male median age 39.5
Female median age 41

💨 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 Gurnee, IL?

Gurnee has a cost index of 114 (100 = national average). It is 14% above the national average.

What is average rent in Gurnee, IL?

The median gross rent in Gurnee is $1,594 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gurnee?

The median home value in Gurnee is $331,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Gurnee?

The median household income in Gurnee is $121,410 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gurnee, IL?

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

Is Gurnee, IL affordable?

Gurnee is above average in cost of living, with an index of 114 — about 14% higher than the national average.

Gurnee at a Glance

Population
30,486
Median Income
$121,410
Home Value
$331,100
Median Rent
$1,594/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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