DeKalb, IL Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-15

Cost Of Living In DeKalb, IL Summary

Cost of living in DeKalb research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means DeKalb is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Illinois, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in DeKalb is 94, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in DeKalb is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • DeKalb ranks as the #120 cheapest in Illinois out of 338.

  • DeKalb ranks as the #2,290 cheapest out of 6,412 in the US.

  • The median home value in DeKalb is $171,100.

  • The median income in DeKalb is $45,591.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
94
DeKalb's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in DeKalb, IL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, DeKalb has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Illinois, DeKalb has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Illinois's index of 92.

The standard of living in DeKalb ranks as #120 most affordable out of the 338 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies DeKalb ranks as the #218 most expensive place in the Prairie State.

For more reading on life in DeKalb, check out:

120 out of 338
In Illinois
2,290 out of 6,412
In America

DeKalb Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in DeKalb. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in DeKalb is 94.

  • The Groceries index in DeKalb is 93.

  • The Health index in DeKalb is 108.

  • The Housing index in DeKalb is 82.

  • The Transportation index in DeKalb is 107.

  • The Utilities index in DeKalb is 90.

Living Expense DeKalb Illinois National Average
Overall 94 92 100
Services 94 95 100
Groceries 93 98 100
Health 108 96 100
Housing 82 81 100
Transportation 107 105 100
Utilities 90 90 100
For more reading on cost of living around Illinois, check out:
DeKalb Cost of Living Vs. IL

DeKalb, IL Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Illinois, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2017-2021. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in DeKalb is $171,100.

  • The Median Rent in DeKalb is $943.

  • The Median Income in DeKalb is $45,591.

  • The Home Value To Income in DeKalb is 3.8x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in DeKalb is 0.25x.

Statistic DeKalb Illinois United States
Median Home Value $171,100 $212,600 $244,900
Median Rent $943 $1,097 $1,163
Median Income $45,591 $72,563 $69,021
Home Value To Income 3.8x 2.9x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.25x 0.18x 0.2x
Search Homes For Sale In Dekalb, IL
$171,100
Median Home Value
$943
Median Rent
$45,591
Median Income

DeKalb, IL Costs By Category

Detailed DeKalb Services Costs Vs. Illinois

Item DeKalb Illinois
Shampoo $1.0 $1.06
Movie $11.76 $10.68
Bowling $12.42 $14.67
Haircut $15.8 $18.62
Beauty Salon $32.1 $39.05

Detailed DeKalb Groceries Costs Vs. Illinois

Item DeKalb Illinois
Ground Beef $3.88 $4.22
Fried Chicken $1.49 $1.39
Milk $1.57 $2.05
Potatoes $3.35 $3.29
Pizza $10.49 $10.62
Beer $8.17 $9.38
Toothpaste $2.31 $2.34

Detailed DeKalb Health Costs Vs. Illinois

Item DeKalb Illinois
Optometrist $73.81 $108.57
Doctor $162.33 $116.17
Dentist $102.11 $99.13

Detailed DeKalb Transportation Costs Vs. Illinois

Item DeKalb Illinois
Gasoline $2.39 $2.22
Tire Balancing $50.79 $50.07

Detailed DeKalb Utilities Costs Vs. Illinois

Item DeKalb Illinois
All Electricity $130.38 $167.67
Phone $191.29 $175.64

Dekalb SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
4/10
Housing
8
Affordability
5
Diversity
9
Safety
7
Amenities
9
Education
8.5
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around DeKalb

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around DeKalb. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Sycamore, IL has a cost of living index of 98, 1.0x DeKalb.

  • Campton Hills, IL has a cost of living index of 135, 1.4x DeKalb.

  • Rochelle, IL has a cost of living index of 89, 0.9x DeKalb.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. DeKalb
Sycamore, IL 18,144 98 1.0x
Campton Hills, IL 10,468 135 1.4x
Rochelle, IL 9,380 89 0.9x
Sugar Grove, IL 9,266 108 1.1x
Hampshire, IL 8,019 105 1.1x
Elburn, IL 5,981 112 1.2x
Genoa, IL 5,139 90 1.0x

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