Cost of Living in Oak Park, IL
Population 53,315 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
A 35-minute average commute puts Oak Park squarely in exurban territory — the kind of place where many households optimize for housing cost over proximity to work. Home values of $456,000 reflect that spatial discount.
Located 6 miles northwest of Chicago, Oak Park falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 45% higher than Chicago's $315,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Oak Park
The median home value in Oak Park is $456,300 — 50% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,456/month, 11% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $108,026/year is 45% higher 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, Oak Park has a cost of living index of 134 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% 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 Oak Park, IL?
Oak Park has a cost index of 134 (100 = national average). It is 34% above the national average.
What is average rent in Oak Park, IL?
The median gross rent in Oak Park is $1,456 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Oak Park?
The median home value in Oak Park is $456,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Oak Park?
The median household income in Oak Park is $108,026 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Oak Park, IL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Oak Park is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Oak Park, IL affordable?
Oak Park is above average in cost of living, with an index of 134 — about 34% higher than the national average.
Oak Park at a Glance
- Population
- 53,315
- Median Income
- $108,026
- Home Value
- $456,300
- Median Rent
- $1,456/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.5%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Illinois Rankings
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