If you're looking to retire, one place you could look to is the Land of Lincoln. One might imagine Chicago when one thinks of Illinois. However, outside of Chicago, Illinois is an excellent place if you're looking to retire to a world of lush farmland and balanced weather. There are many gorgeous state parks in Illinois and many quiet places for you to enjoy your retirement years. While it's infamous for having higher taxes, the state has an overall lower cost of living, which can counteract that tax bill you might be fearing.
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The cost of living in Illinois is slightly less than the national average, about 5.5% less. Illinois is quite affordable outside of Chicago and can be a great place to retire. In almost all areas, Illinois has a lower cost of living. However, one area where Illinois is more expensive is transportation. Suppose you don't need to go anywhere. In that case, however, the state is quite affordable, especially in the housing department, where it's nearly 15 points below the national average and almost $100K cheaper than the rest of the country. So check out Illinois and see if it fits within your budget.
Cost-of-living indices
100 = US average. Higher means more expensive.
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
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Hand-picked from our directory
Calumet City, IL
4.4 · 61 reviews
Arlington Heights, IL
4.4 · 46 reviews
Lisle, IL
4.3 · 40 reviews
Des Plaines, IL
4.5 · 37 reviews
Romeoville, IL
4.4 · 36 reviews
Chicago, IL
4.3 · 36 reviews
Caregivers who come to you
Berkeley, IL
4.7 · 184 reviews
Bloomington, IL
4.7 · 169 reviews
Rockford, IL
4.8 · 127 reviews
Wheaton, IL
4.6 · 125 reviews
Elgin, IL
4.7 · 123 reviews
Naperville, IL
4.6 · 107 reviews
55+ housing without daily care
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Guides for families
Resource library
The enhanced premium tax credits that held down Affordable Care Act premiums from 2021 through 2025 have expired, and Congress has not renewed them for 2027. The 400 percent subsidy cliff is back, and adults 50 to 64 face the steepest increases. Here is what changed and what to do during open enrollment.
Resource library
If you claim Social Security early and keep working, 2027 lets you earn more before any benefit is held back. The under-full-retirement-age limit rises to $25,560 a year. Here is how the earnings test works, what counts as earnings, and why the money that is withheld is not actually gone.
Resource library
For two years, a federal program quietly held down the premiums on stand-alone Medicare drug plans. It ends with the 2027 plan year, which is why some Part D premiums could jump more this Open Enrollment than they have recently. Here is what changed, who is affected, and how to protect your drug costs before December 7.
Buying guide
Compare eight streaming services for seniors by cost, captions, available shows, and ease of setup. Learn what to check before replacing cable, including device compatibility, subscription extras, and discount eligibility.
Buying guide
A refurbished iPhone 13 costs $233 and still takes iOS updates into 2027. For most older adults it is the better buy over a $1,199 Pro Max. Eight models compared, with battery life and accessibility settings weighted over camera specs.
Savings
No agency pays a $3,000 senior benefit; the figure is an SSI asset limit that got repackaged. Here are the programs that do exist, who qualifies, what to have ready, and where to get free help applying.
More beyond care: all savings guides and all buying guides.
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