Illinois

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

Published

1 year 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

New building owner addresses backlash over mural in downtown Springfield

Published

9 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

New building owner addresses backlash over mural in downtown Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A long-standing mural honoring Robert E. Smith on the side of a building at Campbell and Walnut has been covered up, prompting community backlash against the building’s new owner.

David Pere, owner of FMTM LLC, purchased the building in downtown Springfield and said he intended it to reflect his business, which focuses on helping veterans with financial strategies and goals. Covering the mural was part of that plan.

Pere said he was out of town in Tennessee when painting began and learned about the community reaction through messages on his phone.

“I’m like, I was in Tennessee running an event. I didn’t even know he’d started painting until I got a bunch of really nasty messages on my phone,” Pere said. “And I go, oh, look, that’s our building getting painted. I guess he started.”

Pere said he did not anticipate the response. “You know, we didn’t. I didn’t know how much of an impact this was going to make,” he said.

Jesse Tyler, co-owner of SGFCO, said he wanted the mural to stay and expressed concern about the lack of safeguards for publicly recognized works of art.

“To paint over that is to say, like, could be interpreted as saying that his work is no longer relevant or that his story is no longer relevant. I don’t think that’s true,” Tyler said. “Robert’s artwork needs to be part of downtown for as long as we can maintain that memory and maintain that legacy.”

Tyler said the community had hoped protections would be in place for the mural. “Maybe we didn’t have those protections that we hope there would be, that maybe the sort of legacy and awareness of Robert’s work that we hope there would be wasn’t there,” he said.

The City of Springfield posted online, acknowledging the artwork held deep meaning for many residents. Because the building is privately owned, however, Pere is within his rights to make changes to its exterior.

Pere said he hopes to help relocate the mural to a more permanent location. “We want to help migrate that mural to a wall where it could be more permanent,” he said. “I’d love to help them find a space for it. I’d love to help. I’d love to see the city get involved to the point where that space could be a permanent space where it’s actually maintained because it is obvious now that it is very important to the city of Springfield.”

Pere is already working with an artist on a new mural for the side of the building, intended to represent veterans. That mural is expected to begin going up at the end of the month.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

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Illinois

Missed the lunar eclipse? See when the next one will be over Illinois

Published

21 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Missed the lunar eclipse? See when the next one will be over Illinois

Millions across the United States who woke up early Tuesday were treated to a “blood moon,” the only total lunar eclipse occurring in North America in 2026, according to NASA.

Illinois residents who missed it will be waiting some time for the next total lunar eclipse to shine above the U.S. — several years, in fact. But a partial lunar eclipse is coming sooner.

When is the next total lunar eclipse in Illinois?

After March 3, Illinois’ next visible total lunar eclipse won’t happen again until June 2029, writes Time and Date. There is a partial lunar eclipse coming sooner, however.

Others are reading: Free Full Moon Queso at Qdoba. How to get in Illinois

When is the next lunar eclipse?

A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in Illinois on Aug. 27-28, shining over the Americas, Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, according to NASA.

Provided you’re willing to stay up late to see it, the partial lunar eclipse will be at its maximum around 11:12 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, in Illinois.

Until then, here’s what people in parts of the U.S. were seeing Tuesday morning.

See photos of the March 3 total lunar eclipse

Calendar of upcoming eclipses

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next solar eclipse will be visible to roughly 980 million people on Aug. 12, 2026, writes Time and Date.

A total solar eclipse will occur over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small area of Portugal, while a partial eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean, NASA reports.

Need help finding stars, planets and constellations? Try these free astronomy apps

The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.

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Illinois

Illinois lawmakers consider tightening DUI law to 0.05 BAC

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Illinois lawmakers consider tightening DUI law to 0.05 BAC

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (First Alert 4) – Right now, in Illinois, Missouri and most of the country, drivers must be at or over 0.08 to get a DUI. A proposal in the Illinois Statehouse would lower that threshold.

“Make it as safe as you possibly can out there,” said John Sapolis.

Collinsville resident John Sapolis said while lowering Illinois’ DUI threshold would not affect him, as he rarely drinks, he likes the idea of getting drinkers off the road.

“It’s bad enough out there driving around with people who are not drinking,” said Sapolis.

If a bill passes in the Illinois House of Representatives, the blood alcohol limit would be lowered, meaning fewer drinks could put somebody over the line for a DUI.

Two Chicago-area lawmakers propose lowering the threshold from 0.08 to 0.05.

“Your body still is not in a proper state to really be behind the wheel,” said Erin Doherty, Regional Executive Director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Doherty said even at 0.05, drivers are less coordinated and cannot track moving objects as well as when they are sober.

Utah is the only state in the country to have the 0.05 limit, and Doherty said one in five drivers there changed their behavior.

“There are so many other options before getting behind the wheel,” said Doherty.

Sara Floyd used to live in Utah and now calls Collinsville home.

“The Midwest people like to have a few beers while they watch their Little League games

“In Utah, you can barely get alcohol at a gas station,” said Floyd.

She said the culture in Utah is very different and thinks there should be some wiggle room for drivers.

“If one person had a beer within an hour period and then drove, they shouldn’t get a DUI for one drink,” said Floyd.

Doherty said they do not recommend driving even after a single drink.

“You really should not get behind the wheel when you’re any kind of impaired, one drink, five drinks, whatever that looks like, just don’t drive,” said Doherty.

While each body processes alcohol differently, according to the National Library of Medicine, in a two-hour period it takes a 170-pound man three to four drinks to reach 0.05, and it takes a 137-pound woman two to three drinks to reach the same state.

April Sage said she does not think this law would work, saying instead it would help more if the state added more public transit.

“I could have three beers and get a ride home safely,” said Sage.

First Alert 4 reached out to a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation to see if they had any comments on this bill. The spokesperson said they are not going to comment because it is pending legislation.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, fatal crashes involving one driver who had been drinking increased 4% from 2019 to 2022, despite multiple studies showing fewer Americans are drinking.

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