Living in Chicago Heights, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chicago Heights · Census data 2020–2024
Chicago Heights has 26,736 residents with a median age of 35.2. The median household income is $54,798 (34% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $161,000, the median rent is $1,038/month.
Chicago Heights at a glance
- Population
- 26,736
- Median age
- 35.2State: 39
- Median household income
- $54,798State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $161,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,038/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 63.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.9%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Chicago Heights a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 39% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 34% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 14.6%; a poverty rate of 26.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Chicago Heights
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chicago Heights the median home value is $161,000, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,038 per month, which is 30.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,626 a month in housing costs.
Chicago Heights median household income
The median household income in Chicago Heights is $54,798 and the income per person is $26,891. 26.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Chicago Heights: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,613
- Owner-occupied
- 63.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.6%
- Vacant
- 13.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1959
- Average household size
- 2.81
Chicago Heights demographics
- Population
- 26,736
- Median age
- 35.2
- Under 18
- 27.2%
- 65 and older
- 14.3%
- Households
- 9,224
- Foreign-born
- 14.7%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chicago Heights ›
Education in Chicago Heights
20.9% of adults 25 and older in Chicago Heights have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 6.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chicago Heights
- Unemployment rate
- 14.6%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 6.7%
- Drive alone
- 72.5%
- Public transit
- 4.7%
- Walk to work
- 0.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.5%
Chicago Heights vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Heights | 26,736 | $54,798 | $161,000 | $1,038 |
| South Chicago Heights | 3,907 | $58,691 | $149,300 | $1,196 |
| Glenwood | 8,603 | $77,391 | $198,100 | $1,493 |
| Ford Heights | 1,331 | $36,053 | $66,300 | $1,056 |
| Steger | 9,418 | $66,575 | $156,700 | $1,076 |
| Olympia Fields | 4,734 | $123,875 | $329,000 | $3,501 |
| Flossmoor | 9,391 | $133,663 | $344,800 | $2,164 |
| Park Forest | 21,156 | $61,072 | $115,300 | $1,365 |
| Sauk Village | 9,678 | $69,973 | $110,800 | $1,502 |
More for people moving to Chicago Heights
Chicago Heights ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chicago Heights: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chicago Heights, IL?
The median household income in Chicago Heights is $54,798, 34% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Chicago Heights?
The median home value in Chicago Heights is $161,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Chicago Heights?
The median gross rent in Chicago Heights is $1,038 per month, about 30.3% of household income.
Is Chicago Heights, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 39% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 34% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 14.6%; a poverty rate of 26.9%.
What is the median age in Chicago Heights?
The median age in Chicago Heights is 35.2 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Chicago Heights?
The average commute to work in Chicago Heights is 30 minutes; 6.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chicago Heights?
The unemployment rate in Chicago Heights is 14.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chicago Heights?
20.9% of adults in Chicago Heights have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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