A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Bradley Illinois National
Cost of living9398100
Goods & Services9498100
Groceries100100100
Health care99102100
Housing8795100
Transportation97102100
Utilities9298100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Bradley, IL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Bradley is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Bradley is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Bradley is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Bradley Affordable?

Wondering if Bradley is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Bradley, for example, the median home price is 24.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Bradley boasting a median household income of $80,919, which is 0.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bradley?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Bradley, the housing index comes in at 13% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Bradley, healthcare costs are 0.7% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Bradley, the groceries index is 0.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Bradley displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bradley is 5% lower than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Bradley is 7% lower than the national average
  • Bradley housing is 13% lower than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 91% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bradley

See all the best places to live around Bradley

Compare Bradley, IL Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$93,633$7,803$2,185$2,809
      Renters$63,972$5,331$1,493$1,919
      The affordability of the housing market in Bradley, IL as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Bradley homeowners, the median income is $93,633. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,185 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $63,972. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,493 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Illinois Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Illinois 6.25% 10.25%

      Illinois Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Illinois 4.95% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bradley National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.44$27.6211.5%
      Beauty Salon $35.75$51.1130.0%
      Toothpaste $4.23$4.093.4%
      Shampoo $1.60$1.543.8%
      Movie $9.03$12.8829.9%
      Yoga $17.53$19.6610.8%

      Groceries

      Item Bradley National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.56$7.701.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.53$1.668.0%
      Milk $4.97$4.735.0%
      Potatoes $5.55$5.265.6%
      Pizza $14.46$12.7613.3%
      Beer $10.79$10.552.3%

      Health Care

      Item Bradley National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $153.09$140.069.3%
      Doctor $131.61$153.8214.4%
      Dentist $128.43$123.154.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.43$11.732.6%
      Lipitor $23.40$23.610.9%

      Housing

      Item Bradley National avg. Difference
      Home Price $246,851.00$326,622.0024.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,489.74$2,480.2539.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,641.00$1,444.0013.6%

      Transportation

      Item Bradley National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.90$3.065.1%
      Tire Balancing $66.09$65.211.4%

      Utilities

      Item Bradley National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $188.33$220.1214.4%
      Phone $201.97$195.713.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hopkins Park, IL6067921.4%
      Beaverville, IL3838317.1%
      Papineau, IL1338416.1%
      Kankakee, IL26,4618515.1%
      St. Anne, IL1,2918614.2%
      Bradley, IL15,608937.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Newport, KY15,609954.6%
      Olivehurst, CA15,61112322.8%
      Belvedere Park, GA15,6041021.7%
      Swampscott, MA15,59916161.3%
      Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, FL15,617927.9%
      Bradley, IL15,608937.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.