Cost of Living in Wonder Lake, IL

Population 4,141 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wonder Lake 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 25 miles north of Elgin, Wonder Lake falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Elgin's $252,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 120

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

About the Cost of Living in Wonder Lake

The median home value in Wonder Lake is $242,300 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,577/month, 20% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $102,829/year is 38% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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, Wonder Lake has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$242,300
21% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$642,126
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,577/mo
20% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.8x
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 97.1%
Renter-occupied 2.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,577
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,191/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
38.8 min
44% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.5%
Carpooled
4.1%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
14.1%

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
$102,829
38% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,862
Unemployment Rate
6.0%
25% above avg
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor Force Participation
72.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.2%
Graduate degree 6.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.8
Male median age 33.7
Female median age 35.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
52.3%
Good air days/yr
230
Max AQI recorded
247
PM2.5 days
118
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wonder Lake, IL?

Wonder Lake has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wonder Lake, IL?

The median gross rent in Wonder Lake is $1,577 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wonder Lake?

The median home value in Wonder Lake is $242,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wonder Lake?

The median household income in Wonder Lake is $102,829 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wonder Lake, IL?

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

Is Wonder Lake, IL affordable?

Wonder Lake is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

Wonder Lake at a Glance

Population
4,141
Median Income
$102,829
Home Value
$242,300
Median Rent
$1,577/mo
Unemployment
6.0%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs