Rows tagged local are specific to Chicago (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Chicago, IL. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district 1709930 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
102.5
metro-area
#159 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
104.3
metro-area
#169 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.83
metro-area
#155 of 200
Median household income
$71,673
local
#40 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$46,774
local
#28 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
8.20%
local
#166 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-0.0%
local
#168 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$304,500
local
#111 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.2×
local
#65 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+4.4%
metro-area
#27 of 200
Price per square foot
$179
local
#126 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,314
local
#176 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
21,664
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.9%
state
#164 of 200
Combined sales tax
8.86%
state
#169 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
4.95%
Capital gains tax
4.95%
state
#112 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.55%
local
#187 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,720
local
#188 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$14,000
state
#138 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$150
state
#125 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
29
Avg commute to work
34 min
local
#192 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
20.5¢/kWh
state
#138 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$184
state
#138 of 200
Gasoline
$3.60/gal
state
#159 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#167 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$57
state
#7 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#67 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#106 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$300
state
#143 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
56
metro-area
#181 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#66 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,200
metro-area
#178 of 200
Avg summer high
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200
Avg winter low
15°F
metro-area
#182 of 200
Annual precipitation
40.9"
metro-area
#86 of 200
Annual snowfall
38.8"
metro-area
#151 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
54%
metro-area
#161 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
430
state
#111 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,700
state
#47 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
114
metro-area
#84 of 200
Parks
237
Hiking areas
58
Golf courses
49
Shooting ranges
40
Lakes
36
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#147 of 200
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.