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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in Illinois, 2026

Mount Zion is the most affordable ranked town in Illinois. Rent, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity are 22.5% each. Gasoline is 10%. A lower score is more affordable.

Summary

334
Towns ranked in Illinois.
Mount Zion
Number 1 in Illinois. Rent is 8.6% of income. National rank 1476.
18.0%
Median rent share among ranked towns in Illinois.
0
Ranked Illinois towns in the national top 100.
Lincolnwood
Least affordable ranked town in Illinois. Rent is 38.3% of income. National rank 5870.

Gasoline

$4.237

per gallon. EIA does not publish a Illinois price. This is the Midwest (PADD 2) price for the week of October 12, 2026. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 mpg, that is $2,033.76 a year for every ranked town in Illinois.

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Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index: Illinois." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/illinois

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Benefits and taxes in Illinois

Top 25

  1. #1 in Illinois · National #1476

    Mount Zion

    Rent share 8.6% · Price level 88.4 · Score 0.336

    Median rent is $744 a month and median income is $103,365, so rent is 8.6% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Decatur, IL metro price level is 88.4 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  2. #2 in Illinois · National #1587

    Colona

    Rent share 12.6% · Price level 89.1 · Score 0.342

    Median rent is $838 a month and median income is $79,700, so rent is 12.6% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro price level is 89.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  3. #3 in Illinois · National #1871

    Rockton

    Rent share 9.2% · Price level 92.2 · Score 0.361

    Median rent is $914 a month and median income is $119,058, so rent is 9.2% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Rockford, IL metro price level is 92.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  4. #4 in Illinois · National #2106

    Moline

    Rent share 16.0% · Price level 89.1 · Score 0.379

    Median rent is $900 a month and median income is $67,701, so rent is 16.0% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro price level is 89.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  5. #5 in Illinois · National #2115

    Metropolis

    Rent share 17.9% · Price level 86.1 · Score 0.380

    Median rent is $752 a month and median income is $50,399, so rent is 17.9% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Paducah, KY-IL metro price level is 86.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  6. #6 in Illinois · National #2121

    Morton

    Rent share 13.7% · Price level 91.2 · Score 0.380

    Median rent is $1,074 a month and median income is $94,402, so rent is 13.7% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Peoria, IL metro price level is 91.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  7. #7 in Illinois · National #2159

    East Peoria

    Rent share 14.8% · Price level 91.2 · Score 0.382

    Median rent is $886 a month and median income is $71,833, so rent is 14.8% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Peoria, IL metro price level is 91.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  8. #8 in Illinois · National #2177

    Washington

    Rent share 14.6% · Price level 91.2 · Score 0.383

    Median rent is $1,155 a month and median income is $95,179, so rent is 14.6% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Peoria, IL metro price level is 91.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  9. #9 in Illinois · National #2237

    Pekin

    Rent share 16.2% · Price level 91.2 · Score 0.387

    Median rent is $819 a month and median income is $60,790, so rent is 16.2% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Peoria, IL metro price level is 91.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  10. #10 in Illinois · National #2248

    South Beloit

    Rent share 14.8% · Price level 92.2 · Score 0.388

    Median rent is $972 a month and median income is $78,616, so rent is 14.8% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Rockford, IL metro price level is 92.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  11. #11 in Illinois · National #2282

    Eureka

    Rent share 14.8% · Price level 91.2 · Score 0.389

    Median rent is $692 a month and median income is $56,048, so rent is 14.8% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Peoria, IL metro price level is 91.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  12. #12 in Illinois · National #2298

    Chillicothe

    Rent share 16.3% · Price level 91.2 · Score 0.391

    Median rent is $899 a month and median income is $66,132, so rent is 16.3% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Peoria, IL metro price level is 91.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  13. #13 in Illinois · National #2341

    East Moline

    Rent share 16.9% · Price level 89.1 · Score 0.393

    Median rent is $868 a month and median income is $61,779, so rent is 16.9% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro price level is 89.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  14. #14 in Illinois · National #2347

    Chatham

    Rent share 14.1% · Price level 92.7 · Score 0.393

    Median rent is $1,256 a month and median income is $106,773, so rent is 14.1% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Springfield, IL metro price level is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  15. #15 in Illinois · National #2384

    Rock Island

    Rent share 17.1% · Price level 89.1 · Score 0.395

    Median rent is $842 a month and median income is $59,041, so rent is 17.1% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro price level is 89.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  16. #16 in Illinois · National #2436

    Mahomet

    Rent share 14.1% · Price level 92.7 · Score 0.399

    Median rent is $1,396 a month and median income is $118,586, so rent is 14.1% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Champaign-Urbana, IL metro price level is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  17. #17 in Illinois · National #2443

    Kewanee

    Rent share 18.8% · Price level 89.1 · Score 0.399

    Median rent is $797 a month and median income is $50,886, so rent is 18.8% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro price level is 89.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  18. #18 in Illinois · National #2486

    Jerseyville

    Rent share 14.2% · Price level 95.1 · Score 0.403

    Median rent is $869 a month and median income is $73,529, so rent is 14.2% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The St. Louis, MO-IL metro price level is 95.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  19. #19 in Illinois · National #2494

    Savoy

    Rent share 13.1% · Price level 92.7 · Score 0.403

    Median rent is $1,003 a month and median income is $91,966, so rent is 13.1% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Champaign-Urbana, IL metro price level is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  20. #20 in Illinois · National #2533

    Waterloo

    Rent share 10.8% · Price level 95.1 · Score 0.406

    Median rent is $886 a month and median income is $98,711, so rent is 10.8% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The St. Louis, MO-IL metro price level is 95.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  21. #21 in Illinois · National #2538

    Troy

    Rent share 11.9% · Price level 95.1 · Score 0.407

    Median rent is $1,116 a month and median income is $112,434, so rent is 11.9% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The St. Louis, MO-IL metro price level is 95.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  22. #22 in Illinois · National #2556

    Highland

    Rent share 12.4% · Price level 95.1 · Score 0.408

    Median rent is $855 a month and median income is $82,551, so rent is 12.4% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The St. Louis, MO-IL metro price level is 95.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  23. #23 in Illinois · National #2594

    Greenville

    Rent share 15.1% · Price level 95.1 · Score 0.410

    Median rent is $783 a month and median income is $62,089, so rent is 15.1% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The St. Louis, MO-IL metro price level is 95.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  24. #24 in Illinois · National #2600

    Godfrey

    Rent share 14.6% · Price level 95.1 · Score 0.411

    Median rent is $1,153 a month and median income is $94,543, so rent is 14.6% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The St. Louis, MO-IL metro price level is 95.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  25. #25 in Illinois · National #2617

    Chester

    Rent share 11.3% · Price level 100.0 · Score 0.412

    Median rent is $760 a month and median income is $80,625, so rent is 11.3% of income, under the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Illinois state price level is 100.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

Least affordable 10

  1. #334 in Illinois · National #5870

    Lincolnwood

    Rent share 38.3% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.728

    Median rent is $3,501 a month and median income is $109,731, so rent is 38.3% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  2. #333 in Illinois · National #5801

    Hampshire

    Rent share 32.8% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.719

    Median rent is $2,589 a month and median income is $94,773, so rent is 32.8% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  3. #332 in Illinois · National #5786

    Pingree Grove

    Rent share 36.8% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.716

    Median rent is $3,501 a month and median income is $114,294, so rent is 36.8% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  4. #331 in Illinois · National #5765

    Lake Barrington

    Rent share 29.6% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.712

    Median rent is $3,501 a month and median income is $141,958, so rent is 29.6% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  5. #330 in Illinois · National #5752

    Riverdale

    Rent share 37.1% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.710

    Median rent is $1,231 a month and median income is $39,833, so rent is 37.1% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  6. #329 in Illinois · National #5735

    Palos Heights

    Rent share 28.2% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.706

    Median rent is $2,558 a month and median income is $108,740, so rent is 28.2% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  7. #328 in Illinois · National #5724

    Calumet Park

    Rent share 28.9% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.705

    Median rent is $1,288 a month and median income is $53,556, so rent is 28.9% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  8. #327 in Illinois · National #5722

    Round Lake Park

    Rent share 30.1% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.705

    Median rent is $1,402 a month and median income is $55,813, so rent is 30.1% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  9. #326 in Illinois · National #5720

    Burr Ridge

    Rent share 26.8% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.704

    Median rent is $3,501 a month and median income is $156,829, so rent is 26.8% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  10. #325 in Illinois · National #5706

    Markham

    Rent share 33.9% · Price level 103.6 · Score 0.702

    Median rent is $1,621 a month and median income is $57,302, so rent is 33.9% of income, over the 18.0% median for ranked towns in Illinois. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro price level is 103.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 19.22 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.237 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Rent share, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity each count 22.5%. Gasoline counts 10%. Those weights are our choice. Gasoline stays at 10% because the miles figure is one national standard, not a measured town commute. This is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.
  5. Gasoline is the EIA retail price for all grades and all formulations, in dollars per gallon. Where EIA publishes a state series, we use that state. Every other state uses the PADD region EIA assigns to it. Census does not publish commuting miles for these towns, so annual gas spend is 12,000 miles a year divided by 25 miles per gallon, times the price. That is 480 gallons, the same for every town. Those miles are our standard, not an ACS figure and not a government mileage rule. Because the gallons do not change, the gas percentile is the percentile of the price.

    Weekly prices are for the week of October 12, 2026, from the EIA workbook released October 14, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/xls/pswrgvwall.xls. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon use West Coast (PADD 5) Except California. That series is not in the weekly workbook, so those five use the monthly price dated September 15, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epm0_pte_dpgal_m.htm.

    • State series, week of October 12, 2026: California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of October 12, 2026: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
    • Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of October 12, 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), week of October 12, 2026: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
    • Midwest (PADD 2), week of October 12, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
    • New England (PADD 1A), week of October 12, 2026: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
    • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), week of October 12, 2026: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.
    • West Coast (PADD 5) Except California, September 15, 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon.

Score = 0.225 × rent percentile + 0.225 × price-level percentile + 0.225 × tax score + 0.225 × electricity percentile + 0.10 × gasoline percentile. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in Illinois in this index?

Mount Zion is number 1 of 334 ranked towns in Illinois. Median rent is 8.6% of median income. Its national rank is 1476.

How many towns in Illinois were ranked?

334 towns in Illinois have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in Illinois?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.