The cost of living in Antioch, Illinois depends heavily on housing, property taxes, utilities, transportation and individual spending. Current U.S. Census Bureau data reports a median owner-occupied home value of $306,700, median gross rent of $1,129 and median household income of $108,899. For prospective residents, the actual property and household budget matter more than any single cost-of-living score.
What Should You Know About the Cost of Living in Antioch IL?
Located in northern Lake County near the Wisconsin state line and the Chain O'Lakes, Antioch combines residential neighborhoods, a traditional downtown, lake-area living and access to communities throughout Northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin.
But if you are thinking about moving to Antioch, lifestyle is only part of the decision.
You also need to know what living there may cost.
Rather than relying on a generic cost-of-living index, we think it is more useful to look at expenses you can actually evaluate: housing, property taxes, utilities, transportation and everyday purchases.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Antioch's population at approximately 15,000 in 2025. Census data for 2020 through 2024 reports 5,297 households and an average household size of 2.80 people.
How Much Does Housing Cost in Antioch Illinois?
Housing will usually be one of the largest components of a household budget.
According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, the median value of owner-occupied housing units in Antioch was $306,700 for the 2020-2024 period.
The same data reports:
• Owner-occupied housing rate: 73.9%
• Median monthly owner costs with a mortgage: $2,491
• Median monthly owner costs without a mortgage: $1,070
• Median gross rent: $1,129
These are Census estimates covering a multi-year period. They should not be interpreted as today's asking price for a typical Antioch home or today's market rent for a specific property.
Buyers interested in current inventory can explore homes for sale in Antioch, Illinois.
How Does Household Income Compare With Housing Costs?
Income provides additional context when evaluating affordability.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports Antioch's median household income at $108,899, measured in 2024 dollars for 2020-2024. Per capita income was $47,925.
The Village of Antioch's current demographics page, citing the July 2026 CMAP Community Data Snapshot, also reports median household income of $108,899 and notes that 55.7% of Antioch households have income of $100,000 or more.
Those numbers provide community-level context, but they cannot tell an individual household whether a particular home is affordable.
Two Antioch homes with the same purchase price can have very different monthly costs because of differences in:
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• HOA assessments
• Mortgage rate and down payment
• Utilities
• Maintenance requirements
• Well or septic systems where applicable
• Waterfront-related expenses for some properties
Our guide to calculating how much house you can comfortably afford explains why buyers should look beyond purchase price and consider the complete monthly housing expense.
What Are Property Taxes Like in Antioch IL?
Property taxes deserve particular attention when comparing homes in Antioch and throughout Lake County.
Illinois does not have one statewide residential property-tax rate. Property taxes are local and depend on the property's assessed value and the taxing districts serving that particular parcel. The Illinois Department of Revenue explains that property taxes are imposed by local taxing districts and administered by local officials.
That means there is no single property-tax amount that accurately represents every Antioch home.
The best approach for a buyer is to review the tax history for the actual property being considered.
Lake County provides online resources for viewing property-tax bills and payment history. Eligible homeowners may also qualify for exemptions, including general homestead, senior, disabled-person, home-improvement and certain veteran exemptions.
For assessment questions, Lake County identifies the Antioch Township Assessor as the local assessor serving Antioch Township.
How Much Are Water and Sewer Services in Antioch?
For homes receiving Village of Antioch water and sewer service, the Village publishes its current rates.
Effective December 1, 2025, the Village lists its water charge as a $12 minimum plus $3.55 per 1,000 gallons.
The Village sewer charge is a $26 minimum plus $5.70 per 1,000 gallons.
The Village notes that users east of Deep Lake Road have a different sewer calculation involving Lake County Public Works. Water and sewer services are billed every two months.
Actual bills will depend on usage and the property.
This is another reason buyers should evaluate the utilities associated with a specific address rather than assuming that every Antioch property has identical costs or services.
What Other Utilities Should Antioch Residents Budget For?
The Village of Antioch identifies Commonwealth Edison, commonly known as ComEd, for electricity and lists natural-gas providers including Nicor. The Village provides municipal water and sewer service where applicable.
Households may also need to budget for:
• Electricity
• Natural gas
• Internet and television
• Mobile phone service
• Water and sewer
• Garbage and recycling
• Homeowners or renters insurance
The Village contracts with Groot for residential refuse, recycling and yard-waste services for Village residents. Groot provides weekly residential collection on Thursdays, according to the Village.
Utility expenses vary considerably by home size, construction, insulation, heating and cooling systems, number of occupants and personal usage.
What Is the Sales Tax in Antioch Illinois?
Everyday spending is another part of the cost-of-living picture.
According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, Antioch's combined sales-tax rate for general merchandise increased from 7.00% to 8.00% effective January 1, 2026.
Tax treatment can vary depending on what is purchased, and Illinois tax rates can change. Consumers should use current Illinois Department of Revenue information when they need the applicable rate for a particular transaction.
What About Transportation Costs?
Transportation costs depend greatly on where you work and how often you travel.
Antioch is the northern endpoint of Metra's North Central Service, providing a commuter-rail connection toward Chicago. Metra's North Central Service began operating to Antioch in 1996.
For households that drive regularly, transportation budgets can include:
• Vehicle payments
• Gasoline
• Auto insurance
• Maintenance
• Parking
• Commuter rail fares
Census Bureau data reports a mean travel time to work of 30.4 minutes for Antioch workers age 16 and older during 2020-2024.
Where you work can therefore be an important part of deciding whether Antioch fits your overall budget.
How Does Antioch's Location Affect Everyday Living?
Cost of living is not simply a spreadsheet of expenses. Location determines what you receive in exchange for those expenses.
Antioch sits in northern Lake County near the Wisconsin border and the northern portion of the Chain O'Lakes region.
For people interested in boating, fishing and waterfront recreation, Antioch provides access to areas around Channel Lake and Lake Catherine and is connected to a much broader lake-oriented region.
You can learn more about communities around the Chain O'Lakes and how Antioch fits into this part of Northern Illinois.
Antioch also has a traditional downtown and local businesses, while residents can reach shopping, employment and services throughout Lake County and across the nearby Wisconsin border.
Those location factors may matter just as much as the numbers when comparing Antioch with Lake Villa, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Gurnee or communities in southeastern Wisconsin.
What Should You Budget Before Moving to Antioch?
Before deciding what you can comfortably spend on a home, consider building a monthly budget that includes more than the mortgage.
For a potential Antioch homeowner, that could include:
• Principal and interest
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• HOA fees, when applicable
• Water and sewer
• Electricity and natural gas
• Garbage service
• Internet and telecommunications
• Transportation
• Routine home maintenance
• Emergency repairs
Waterfront or lake-area properties can require additional considerations depending on the property, including flood insurance requirements, shoreline conditions, piers, seawalls, well and septic systems, or other property-specific expenses.
The goal is not simply to determine whether you can purchase the home. It is to understand what that particular home may cost you to own.
What Does the Cost of Living Mean for Antioch Home Buyers?
For buyers, the most useful affordability comparison happens property by property.
A lower-priced house is not automatically the least expensive home to own.
One property might have lower taxes but need significant maintenance. Another may cost more but have newer mechanical systems. A third could include an HOA assessment or different utility arrangements.
Buyers should therefore compare the complete financial picture before making an offer.
Current inventory and buyer competition can also affect your choices. Our Lake County and McHenry County housing market update provides additional context about the Northern Illinois real estate market.
The Star Home Team's Perspective
When clients ask us whether Antioch is affordable, we believe the most useful answer starts with their individual goals.
There is no single housing budget that works for everyone.
We encourage buyers to look at the complete cost of each property, including purchase price, financing, taxes, insurance, utilities and anticipated maintenance.
Location matters too. Antioch offers a combination of northern Lake County living, access to the Chain O'Lakes area, a downtown community and proximity to Wisconsin. For some buyers, those characteristics may be an important part of the value equation.
Our role is to help buyers understand the local housing options and make informed comparisons.
The Star Home Team recently surpassed more than 4,000 closed real estate sales, with experience serving buyers and sellers throughout Lake County, McHenry County and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Antioch IL Cost of Living
Is Antioch Illinois expensive to live in?
There is no single authoritative number that determines whether Antioch is expensive for a particular household. Census data reports median household income of $108,899, a median owner-occupied home value of $306,700 and median gross rent of $1,129 for 2020-2024. Individual affordability depends on housing, taxes, transportation, utilities, debt and other household expenses.
What is the median home value in Antioch IL?
The U.S. Census Bureau reports a median value of $306,700 for owner-occupied housing units in Antioch during the 2020-2024 period. This is a Census estimate, not the current median sale price of homes on the market. Current asking and sale prices change with market conditions.
What is the average rent in Antioch Illinois?
The U.S. Census Bureau reports median gross rent of $1,129 for Antioch for 2020-2024. This should not be confused with today's asking rent for currently available apartments or houses. Rental prices vary according to property type, size, location and current availability.
What is the median household income in Antioch IL?
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts reports Antioch's median household income at $108,899, expressed in 2024 dollars for the 2020-2024 period. The Village of Antioch's demographics page also reports the same figure using current community data.
How much are property taxes in Antioch Illinois?
There is no single Antioch property-tax amount or rate that applies to every home. Illinois property taxes depend on assessed value and the local taxing districts applicable to an individual parcel. Buyers should examine the actual Lake County tax record for any property they are considering.
What are Antioch's water and sewer rates?
Effective December 1, 2025, Village of Antioch water service carries a $12 minimum plus $3.55 per 1,000 gallons. The Village sewer charge has a $26 minimum plus $5.70 per 1,000 gallons. Different sewer calculations apply to certain properties east of Deep Lake Road.
What is the sales tax in Antioch IL?
The Illinois Department of Revenue reports that Antioch's combined sales-tax rate on general merchandise became 8.00% effective January 1, 2026, up from 7.00% previously. Tax treatment varies by purchase, so current state information should be consulted for specific transactions.
Does Antioch have Metra service?
Yes. Antioch is served by Metra's North Central Service and is the northern endpoint of the line. Commuters should check Metra's current schedules and fares when evaluating transportation options and commuting costs.
Is Antioch IL Right for Your Budget?
Understanding the cost of living in Antioch means looking beyond one number.
Housing costs, property taxes, utilities, transportation and everyday expenses all contribute to what you will actually spend. More importantly, those costs can differ considerably from one property to another.
If you are considering a move to Antioch, we can help you compare available homes, locations and property-specific expenses so you have better information before making a decision.
About the Author
Susan Starwalt is the Broker Owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes and The Star Home Team, serving Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Licensed since 1998, Susan works alongside Jim Starwalt and the company's management team to support one of the region's top-producing real estate organizations.
The Star Home Team has helped more than 4,000 families buy and sell homes and is recognized as one of Illinois' leading real estate teams. The team serves buyers and sellers throughout Lake County, McHenry County, Kenosha County, and surrounding communities, providing expert guidance, local market knowledge, innovative marketing, and personalized service.
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