Overall Comparisons

• In early 2011 the Money Rate financial advice website published a top 10 list of the best states to make a living in based on four factors --- average state wages, the state unemployment rate, state tax rate and the cost of living. The state of Illinois ranked number one on the list. According to the article, Illinois has the best adjusted-average income at $41,986.51 per year; and though the employment rate may not be particularly low, residents benefit from above-average wages and lower state taxes and costs of living in comparison to other states.
  
  

Food and Drink

• At the time of publication, the average per-month cost of food and beverages for Illinois residents was about $602, according to the Bundle consumer spending website. This figure is only slightly higher than national estimates of $552 per month. Broken down, the average Illinois resident spends about $259 per month dining out, and the remaining $343 on groceries. The highest-spending 10 percent of Illinois residents during the survey period spent about $647 per month dining out, a figure more than $75 higher than national statistics. The lowest 10 percent of Illinois residents surveyed reported spending $20 or less dining out a month.
  
  

Utilities

• The cost of utilities in Illinois is dead-on even with all estimated national averages. Reports indicate that, in Illinois and nationally, the average monthly expense for utilities --- electric, water, heating and cooking gas --- is $183. The median cost --- a more accurate indicator of general spending habits --- is $106 per month in Illinois and across the country. The lowest 10 percent in Illinois reported spending $29 on utilities, and the highest 10 percent spent $380. The same figures were reported nationally for utility expenses.
  
  

Phone

• Living in Illinois, you might expect to pay a slightly higher telephone bill than in other parts of the country. At the time of publication, the average monthly expense for telephone service in Illinois is $89, just $10 more than national averages. The median expense is reported to be $66; median costs are $59. The lowest phone cost in Illinois are close to $15 --- just $1 over national low-end statistics. And the highest reported telephone bills for Illinois residents were just $18 higher than highest spenders nationally, at $212 per month.
  
  

Housing

• According to the Sperling's Best Places website, the median age of residential homes in Illinois is 42 years (33 years nationally); the average cost is $176,120 ($183,450 nationally) and the average appreciation is 9.46 percent (5.21 percent nationally). The Housing Think website reported that in 2011, the average rent for a standard two bedroom apartment in Illinois was close to $904 per month. Using the standard "30 percent of your income for rent" rule, an Illinois resident would have to work full-time earning at least $17.38 per hour to afford such an apartment, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
  
  

Transportation

• Illinois residents experience slightly higher transportation expenses than the rest of the U.S. population. The average cost of getting around in the U.S. is estimated to be about $463 per month; it's $475 in the state of Illinois. Broken down, the average cost of gas in Illinois is around $190 ($186 nationally). Automobile expenses in Illinois are about $285 per month ($277 nationally).
  
  

Chicago

• If you choose to live in "The Windy City," be prepared to pay a bit more for just about everything. The overall cost of living in Chicago 16.7 percent greater than Illinois averages, and 12 percent higher than the rest of the country. Broken down, the increased expenses experienced by Chicago residents are as follows: groceries, 8 percent; health care, 11 percent; housing, 24 percent; transportation, 16 percent; and utilities are 21 percent more expensive in Chicago than other parts of Illinois and the U.S.