What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday
What a paycheck buys in Illinois this week
A median Illinois household earning $93,270 Median household income (Illinois, current dollars) U.S. Census Bureau · 2025 Annual release · FRED MEHOINUSILA646N ↗ a year can afford a home of about $294,000 at this week’s 7.32% 30-year fixed mortgage rate (U.S. average) Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey · week of Oct 22, 2026 Weekly release · FRED MORTGAGE30US ↗ average 30-year rate. The median Illinois listing is $324,950 Median list price (Illinois) Realtor.com · September 2026 Monthly release · FRED MEDLISPRIIL ↗ , which would take 30.9% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.
Compared with a year ago
A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $308,625 and median income of $83,090 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $289,000 and the median listing took 29.9% of income. Affordability in Illinois has worsened since then.
Nearby in the ranking
- #3 Kansas: can afford $270,000, median listing $296,000
- #4 Iowa: can afford $259,000, median listing $285,000
- #6 Missouri: can afford $267,000, median listing $300,000
- #7 Pennsylvania: can afford $271,000, median listing $309,000
Illinois housing market report → · Illinois brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →
How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.