Cost of Living in Highwood, IL
Population 5,243 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Highwood a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $455,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Highwood is about 25 miles north of Chicago, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 44% higher than Chicago's $315,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Highwood
The median home value in Highwood is $454,500 — 49% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,800/month, 37% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $101,862/year is 37% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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, Highwood has a cost of living index of 144 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 44% more expensive.
Highwood has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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 Highwood, IL?
Highwood has a cost index of 144 (100 = national average). It is 44% above the national average.
What is average rent in Highwood, IL?
The median gross rent in Highwood is $1,800 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Highwood?
The median home value in Highwood is $454,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Highwood?
The median household income in Highwood is $101,862 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Highwood, IL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Highwood is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Highwood, IL affordable?
Highwood is above average in cost of living, with an index of 144 — about 44% higher than the national average.
Highwood at a Glance
- Population
- 5,243
- Median Income
- $101,862
- Home Value
- $454,500
- Median Rent
- $1,800/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.0%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Illinois Rankings
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