Cost of Living in Melrose Park, IL
Population 24,513 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Melrose Park sits on the smaller end of the Illinois city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Located 10 miles west of Chicago, Melrose Park falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Chicago's $315,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Melrose Park
The median home value in Melrose Park is $265,000 — 13% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,194/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,740/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, 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, Melrose Park has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less 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 Melrose Park, IL?
Melrose Park has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.
What is average rent in Melrose Park, IL?
The median gross rent in Melrose Park is $1,194 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Melrose Park?
The median home value in Melrose Park is $265,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Melrose Park?
The median household income in Melrose Park is $64,740 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Melrose Park, IL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Melrose Park is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Melrose Park, IL affordable?
Yes, Melrose Park is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.
Melrose Park at a Glance
- Population
- 24,513
- Median Income
- $64,740
- Home Value
- $265,000
- Median Rent
- $1,194/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.5%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Illinois Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs