Cost of Living in Prospect Heights, IL

Population 15,681 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

111
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Prospect Heights 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.

Geographically, Prospect Heights sits roughly 20 miles east of Elgin. Median home values run roughly 38% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 114
Rent 106

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

About the Cost of Living in Prospect Heights

The median home value in Prospect Heights is $347,500 — 14% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,391/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,599/year is 23% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 59.2°F and lows of 42.3°F. Overall, Prospect Heights has a cost of living index of 111 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$347,500
14% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$356,014
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,391/mo
6% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.8x
Favors renting
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 63.5%
Renter-occupied 36.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,391
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,005/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
28.7 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.2%
Carpooled
10.5%
Public transit
1.9%
Walked
0.1%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
16.3%

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
$91,599
23% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,868
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
9% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor Force Participation
72.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.1%
Graduate degree 12.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41
Male median age 38.9
Female median age 41.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.2°F
Avg Low
42.3°F
Annual Precip
32.3"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323647587080848275634937
Low °F 182130395060666556453324
Precip" 1.331.281.843.313.763.973.153.703.043.112.151.64

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 57 — Moderate
28.5%
Good air days/yr
223
Max AQI recorded
252
PM2.5 days
97
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Prospect Heights, IL?

Prospect Heights has a cost index of 111 (100 = national average). It is 11% above the national average.

What is average rent in Prospect Heights, IL?

The median gross rent in Prospect Heights is $1,391 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Prospect Heights?

The median home value in Prospect Heights is $347,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Prospect Heights?

The median household income in Prospect Heights is $91,599 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Prospect Heights, IL?

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

Is Prospect Heights, IL affordable?

Prospect Heights is above average in cost of living, with an index of 111 — about 11% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Prospect Heights?

Prospect Heights has average high temperatures of 59.2°F and average lows of 42.3°F. Annual precipitation is 32.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Prospect Heights at a Glance

Population
15,681
Median Income
$91,599
Home Value
$347,500
Median Rent
$1,391/mo
Unemployment
4.4%
Avg High Temp
59.2°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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