Cost of Living in Palos Heights, IL
Population 11,817 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Palos Heights a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $350,000.
Palos Heights sits roughly 13 miles southwest of Chicago — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 11% higher than Chicago's $315,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Palos Heights
The median home value in Palos Heights is $350,000 — 15% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,138/month, 63% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $107,974/year is 45% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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, Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights, IL?
Palos Heights has a cost index of 134 (100 = national average). It is 34% above the national average.
What is average rent in Palos Heights, IL?
The median gross rent in Palos Heights is $2,138 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Palos Heights?
The median home value in Palos Heights is $350,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Palos Heights?
The median household income in Palos Heights is $107,974 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Palos Heights, IL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Palos Heights is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Palos Heights, IL affordable?
Palos Heights is above average in cost of living, with an index of 134 — about 34% higher than the national average.
Palos Heights at a Glance
- Population
- 11,817
- Median Income
- $107,974
- Home Value
- $350,000
- Median Rent
- $2,138/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.5%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Illinois Rankings
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