An Overview of Cost of Living in Glen Ellyn, IL
Understanding the cost of living in Glen Ellyn can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Glen Ellyn cost of living index is 136, which is 36% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Glen Ellyn is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Glen Ellyn falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Glen Ellyn, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 111.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Glen Ellyn Affordable?
Is Glen Ellyn affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Glen Ellyn, for instance, where the median home price falls 151.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 16.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Glen Ellyn flaunting a median household income of $118,208, 113.7% higher than the national norm.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Glen Ellyn?
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Glen Ellyn, the groceries index is 3.5% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Glen Ellyn, the transportation index is 7.2% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Glen Ellyn, healthcare costs are 7.7% higher than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The Glen Ellyn cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.