Cost of Living in Lake Zurich, IL

Population 19,727 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

137
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Lake Zurich a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $418,000.

Lake Zurich sits roughly 15 miles northeast of Elgin — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 66% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 137
Rent 136

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake Zurich

The median home value in Lake Zurich is $418,300 — 37% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,782/month, 36% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $139,959/year is 88% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, 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, Lake Zurich has a cost of living index of 137 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$418,300
37% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$479,338
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,782/mo
36% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.6x
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 80.2%
Renter-occupied 19.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,782
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,396/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
31.0 min
15% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.2%
Carpooled
3.8%
Public transit
2.7%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
18.5%

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
$139,959
88% above avg
Per Capita Income
$63,070
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
31% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor Force Participation
74.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 37.3%
Graduate degree 23.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.3
Male median age 41.2
Female median age 41.4

💨 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 Lake Zurich, IL?

Lake Zurich has a cost index of 137 (100 = national average). It is 37% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Zurich, IL?

The median gross rent in Lake Zurich is $1,782 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Zurich?

The median home value in Lake Zurich is $418,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lake Zurich?

The median household income in Lake Zurich is $139,959 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Zurich, IL?

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

Is Lake Zurich, IL affordable?

Lake Zurich is above average in cost of living, with an index of 137 — about 37% higher than the national average.

Lake Zurich at a Glance

Population
19,727
Median Income
$139,959
Home Value
$418,300
Median Rent
$1,782/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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