What it actually costs to live in
Cook County, IL.
Living wage breakdown for Cook County, Illinois — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $18.83 | $39,167 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $28.93 | $60,175 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $38.46 | $80,002 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $47.80 | $99,418 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $24.88 | $51,760 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $35.20 | $73,206 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $44.40 | $92,345 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $53.40 | $111,063 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $13,053 | $1,088 |
| Food | $4,766 | $397 |
| Medical | $3,687 | $307 |
| Transportation | $5,513 | $459 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,253 | $188 |
| Personal & Misc | $2,845 | $237 |
| Taxes | $7,050 | $588 |
| Total | $39,167 | $3,264 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$18.83/hr
Minimum wage$15.00/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for Cook County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.