Illinois is great. Really!
January 29, 2024 · 1 min read
Going through some recent cost-of-living data, I was struck by how well Illinois fared:
- #4 in disposable income (behind New York, Washington, and Massachusetts)
- #12 in average salary
- #22 in housing costs
- #27 in healthcare costs
- #33 in food costs
On the flip side:
- #8 in average annual taxes
- #12 in average transportation costs (i.e., more expensive than 38 other states)
As a Chicago resident, I have to say: the city (and the state) has been great for our family. As a startup founder and tech exec, the city offers plenty of opportunities. Our kids enjoy a high-quality education, can easily get around the city via public transit or bike, and participate in strong youth sports programs. We have access to an 18-mile lakefront trail, amazing neighborhood parks, world-class culture (museums, architecture, theatre & comedy, live music), exceptional food, pro teams in every sport, public libraries, coffee shops, and much more.
The tradeoffs: higher property taxes, heavier traffic, and a couple of tough winter months.
But for us, it’s been absolutely worth it. We have loved raising our family here and are proud to call Chicago and Illinois home.