Cost of Living in Lake in the Hills, IL
Population 28,853 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
A 35-minute average commute puts Lake in the Hills squarely in exurban territory — the kind of place where many households optimize for housing cost over proximity to work. Home values of $296,000 reflect that spatial discount. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 10 miles north of Elgin, Lake in the Hills falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 17% higher than Elgin's $252,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Lake in the Hills
The median home value in Lake in the Hills is $296,400 — 3% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,634/month, 24% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $113,491/year is 52% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.3%, 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, Lake in the Hills has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more 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 Lake in the Hills, IL?
Lake in the Hills has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.
What is average rent in Lake in the Hills, IL?
The median gross rent in Lake in the Hills is $1,634 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Lake in the Hills?
The median home value in Lake in the Hills is $296,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Lake in the Hills?
The median household income in Lake in the Hills is $113,491 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Lake in the Hills, IL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lake in the Hills is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Lake in the Hills, IL affordable?
Lake in the Hills is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).
Lake in the Hills at a Glance
- Population
- 28,853
- Median Income
- $113,491
- Home Value
- $296,400
- Median Rent
- $1,634/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.3%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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Illinois Rankings
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