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Chicago, Illinois Retirement Guide
established retirement community
46
Retirement Score
Chicago, Illinois at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $313,300
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income (pensions, 401k, IRA) fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- 18.5°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 101.2 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 46 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
101.2 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$313,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,324High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income (pensions, 401k, IRA) fully exempt.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
14.7 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
51.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
14.7 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
80.2°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
18.5°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
46.5"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
270 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
40.2 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
55.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
70.7 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
2,721,914High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
35.3High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
13.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$71,673High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
45.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
2.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
42.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
16.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
42.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
28.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
29.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
7.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Chicago using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$679
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$762
Median home price used: $313,300
Median rent reference: $1,324 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.