Illinois

How Far the Average Social Security Check Goes in the Largest Illinois Cities

Published

1 month ago

December 8, 2024

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How Far the Average Social Security Check Goes in the Largest Illinois Cities

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Illinois is considered a worthy state for a few key reasons, including its bustling economy, overall solid livability scores and relative affordability, as compared with other states. But not all cities are created equal; in which does the average Social Security check stretch the furthest? The answer depends on whether you rent or own.

In a new study, GOBankingRates analyzed the largest cities in Illinois to find how far the average Social Security benefits goes. The cities are ranked to show the least expensive to most expensive cost of living for renters and homeowners.

How Far the Average Social Security Check Goes for Homeowners in 10 Illinois Cities

10. Schaumburg

Average single-family home value: $386,380
Number of households receiving Social Security: 26,733
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $26,114
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,117
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $25,404

9. Palatine

Average single-family home value: $402,195
Number of households receiving Social Security: 22,196
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $25,733
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,259
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $27,104

8. Skokie

Average single-family home value: $412,029
Number of households receiving Social Security: 20,490
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $25,776
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,316
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $27,796

7. Orland Park

Average single-family home value: $414,254
Number of households receiving Social Security: 20,521
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $26,368
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,351
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $28,210

6. Mount Prospect

Average single-family home value: $429,714
Number of households receiving Social Security: 18,564
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $24,251
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,403
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $28,833

5. Arlington Heights

Average single-family home value: $487,433
Number of households receiving Social Security: 26,043
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $27,125
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,722
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $32,668

4. Wheaton

Average single-family home value: $491,201
Number of households receiving Social Security: 16,450
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $26,648
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,765
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $33,181

3. Oak Park

Average single-family home value: $498,614
Number of households receiving Social Security: 19,797
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $28,243
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $2,828
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $33,932

2. Evanston

Average single-family home value: $558,590
Number of households receiving Social Security: 24,936
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $27,864
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $3,123
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $37,481

1. Naperville

Average single-family home value: $597,091
Number of households receiving Social Security: 45,151
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $29,855
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $3,377
Total annual cost of living for homeowners after Social Security benefits: $40,526

How Far the Average Social Security Check Goes for Renters in 10 Illinois Cities

10. Tinley Park

Average monthly rent: $2,042
Number of households receiving Social Security: 19,751
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $25,255
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,127
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $25,524

9. Aurora

Average monthly rent: $2,172
Number of households receiving Social Security: 52,205
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $24,915
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,130
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $25,560

8. Wheaton

Average monthly rent: $2,099
Number of households receiving Social Security: 16,450
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $26,648
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,191
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $26,288

7. Chicago

Average monthly rent: $2,122
Number of households receiving Social Security: 912,966
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $20,383
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,220
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $26,640

6. Des Plaines

Average monthly rent: $2,161
Number of households receiving Social Security: 19,660
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $24,252
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,222
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $26,660

5. Naperville

Average monthly rent: $2,154
Number of households receiving Social Security: 45,151
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $29,855
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,281
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $27,377

4. Evanston

Average monthly rent: $2,201
Number of households receiving Social Security: 24,936
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $27,864
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,285
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $27,418

3. Skokie

Average monthly rent: $2,288
Number of households receiving Social Security: 20,490
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $25,776
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,362
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $28,346

2. Bolingbrook

Average monthly rent: $2,454
Number of households receiving Social Security: 20,429
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $26,016
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,454
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $29,451

1. Orland Park

Average monthly rent: $2,463
Number of households receiving Social Security: 20,521
Average annual Social Security benefits among households receiving them: $26,368
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $2,560
Total annual cost of living for renters after Social Security benefits: $30,715

Methodology. For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the largest cities in Illinois to find how far the average Social Security benefits goes. First GOBankingRates found cities in Illinois along with the basic information for each city including; total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income all sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. In order to qualify for this study, each city had to have a population of at least 50,000 and have all data points available. Using this data the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous cost of living indexes. Using the cost of living indexes for grocery, healthcare, utilities, transportation, miscellaneous as well as the national average expenditure costs for retired residents, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location and included as supplemental information. The average single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for October 2024. Using the average single family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average total monthly and annual cost of living can be calculated. The average rental cost can be sourced from Zillow Observed Rental Index for each city and using the expenditure costs the total cost of living for each city can be calculated. The percentage of households who receive Social Security benefits, the number of households who receive Social Security benefits, and the average number of Social Security income was all sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. The cities were sorted to show the most expensive to least expensive cost of living for renters and homeowners. All data was collected on and is up to date as of November 20th, 2024.

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Illinois

2026 Nebraska OL Landen Von Seggern excited to join Illinois family

Published

4 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

2026 Nebraska OL Landen Von Seggern excited to join Illinois family

Illinois has added to its family with a 2026 commitment. Omaha (Neb.) Millard South offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern announced his commitment to the Illini on Wednesday.

The Nebraska native visited Illinois on Jan. 11 and couldn’t have been more impressed with the visit.

“It was great, the thing that stood out the most to me was the hospitality,” Von Seggern said.

“The coaches were talking to me and treating me as if I was already a part of the team and the atmosphere was crazy at the basketball game. They have a very nice fan base and that is what made me want to be a part of the famILLy!”

Von Seggern selected Illinois over the seven scholarship offers that he holds. He took visits to Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas. But being in Champaign gave him the feeling that its where he needs to play college football.

Another thing Illinois had going for it was his relationship with coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Bart Miller. Bielema’s history with offensive linemen speaks for itself but Von Seggern has built a quick rapport with the pair.

“The relationship has grown very well,” Von Seggern said. “Especially for me only being up there three times. It felt like they had been my coaches already. I’m just super excited to get to work with them.”

Now the lineman’s college decision is out of the way and he can enjoy his senior year with his friends and family without worrying about where he will commit.

“The thing I’m looking forward to most about being part of the Illini is the atmosphere and the relationships between the coaches and players,” Von Seggern said. ‘FamILLy is a big thing at Illinois but they don’t just say it, they act upon it and live by it!”

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Illinois

Plano, 1st Illinois community to recognize Juneteenth as holiday, cancels 2025 events

Published

12 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Plano, 1st Illinois community to recognize Juneteenth as holiday, cancels 2025 events

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 3:39PM

Live streaming newscasts, breaking news, weather & original, local programming.

PLANO, Ill. (WLS) — The first community to recognize Juneteenth as holiday in Illinois has canceled this year’s celebration.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Plano, Illinois recognized Juneteenth as a holiday in February 2021. That same year, it became a state and federal holiday.

However, event organizers announced on social media that the 2025 Juneteenth celebrations were canceled.

The cancellation came due to “community engagement and negative feedback,” according to organizers.

Among the canceled events were the Martin Luther King Candlelight Bowling Fundraiser, Black History Month scholarship contest and the June Celebration at Emily G John’s School.

“My hope is that this is temporary but if the cancelation is determined that it needs to extend to 2026 then that would be the will and pleasure of the community,” organizers said.

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Illinois

Son of woman killed in domestic shooting helps pass Illinois law to protect victims, becomes advocate

Published

21 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Son of woman killed in domestic shooting helps pass Illinois law to protect victims, becomes advocate

CHICAGO (CBS) — In July 2023, Manny Alvarez’s mother and sister were shot and killed, allegedly by his father.

Manny, now 20, usually is not comfortable with praise. But he now has something to be proud of—as he helped pass an Illinois state law that both honors his mom and helps future survivors of domestic violence.

“My life sort of ended there in terms of—that was it,” Alvarez said. “That’s kind of that chapter of my life, and I’ll never have a dad I can call again, I’ll never have a sister I can call again, and I’ll never have a mom I can call again.”

Manny Alvarez was just 18 when his dad picked up a gun and shot his sister, Daniela, and his mother, Karina Gonzalez, to death in their Little Village neighborhood apartment. Manny was shot too, but survived.

He said he did not think his father was capable of doing such a thing.

“I mean, it’s something that we knew of, and in terms of all the domestic violence, it was very prevalent,” Manny Alvarez said, “but you know, you never really think someone’s going to go to that measure of actually hurting someone, let alone killing them, and basically ending everyone’s life.”

The deadly shooting happened during a quarrel, and two weeks after Manny’s mom was granted an order of protection against her husband, Jose Alvarez. But her husband had not been served.

“It was the worst two weeks ever,” Manny said, “because, you know, we’re just kind of sitting there going, ‘OK, like he’s not supposed to be here.”

Manny, who calls his mom the hardest working person he’s ever known, went to live with relatives. At the same time, advocates were crafting a bill requiring that police remove all guns from people with domestic violence orders of protection against them.

The advocate asked Manny if they could name the legislation after his mom. Eventually, he said yes, and the fight to pass Karina’s Bill ramped up.

The bill passed the Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and Manny helped with the effort. He met with lawmakers and appeared at news conferences.

It was Manny’s way of honoring his mother.

“I can’t give her a birthday gift. I can’t give her a Christmas gift anymore,” Manny said. “But I kind of see it as a way to give back to her for all that she did for me.”

Amanda Pyron, executive director of the anti-domestic violence organization The Network, said Manny’s advocacy for getting the bill passed was “critical.”

But Pyron said their work isn’t over—even after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signs the bill into law.

“We absolutely will monitor accountability for survivors who go into a court and are granted an order of protection with this remedy, and don’t receive it,” Pyron said.

As for Manny, he does not like to call himself brave. But he does want to keep helping domestic violence survivors—any way he can.

“I’m all ears, and that’s kind of my calling, I guess,” he said. “If anyone comes up to me with that situation, it’s, OK, what can we do? You know, who can I put them in contact with?”

It is not clear when Gov. Pritzker plans to sign Karina’s Bill into law. But when it happens, Manny said he would like to be there.

Dana Kozlov

Dana Kozlov is an Emmy Award-winning political investigative reporter for CBS2 Chicago. Prior to joining the station in 2003, she worked at WGN, CNN Chicago and WEEK-TV in Peoria, where she began her journalism career in 1992.

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