Best Cities for Accountants & CPAs in Illinois
Ranked by affordability — cost of living, rent, and net income on a $78,000 salary
Illinois has 8 metro areas with full cost-of-living data. For accountants & cpas earning around $78,000 annually, Decatur stands out as the most affordable option with a cost-of-living index of 55.0 and $52,382 left after taxes and rent. 7 cities in Illinois sit below the national average cost of living, giving accountants & cpas more purchasing power per dollar earned. Chicago-Joliet-Naperville is the priciest metro at 111.0 on the index, 56 points above Decatur.
City Rankings by Affordability
Full Comparison Table
| # | City | COL Index | 2BR Rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decatur | 55.0 | $1,063 |
| 2 | Peoria | 58.4 | $1,039 |
| 3 | Rockford | 64.9 | $1,175 |
| 4 | Springfield | 65.2 | $1,203 |
| 5 | Champaign-Urbana | 67.8 | $1,122 |
| 6 | Bloomington | 73.6 | $1,302 |
| 7 | Kankakee | 74.1 | $1,326 |
| 8 | Chicago-Joliet-Naperville | 111.0 | $1,781 |
Net income = $78,000 salary − federal & Illinois state taxes − annual 2BR rent. COL index: national avg = 100.
How We Rank Cities
Cities are ranked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, where 100 equals the national average. A lower score means your money goes further. Net income is calculated using a benchmark $78,000 salary for accountants & cpas who manage finances and tax compliance, after applying 2026 federal and Illinois state income tax brackets and subtracting HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment. Purchasing power adjusts net income for local price levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable city in Illinois for accountants & cpas?
Decatur is the most affordable city in Illinois for accountants & cpas, with a cost-of-living index of 55.0 (national average = 100). On a $78,000 salary, you'd have approximately $52,382 after taxes and rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.
How much do accountants & cpas earn in Illinois?
Accountants & CPAs in Illinois earn around $78,000 per year on average. After federal and state taxes, and typical 2-bedroom rent costs (averaging $15,012 per year across the state), take-home spending money varies significantly by city—making location a critical factor.
How does cost of living vary across Illinois cities?
Across 8 metro areas in Illinois, the average cost-of-living index is 71 (national average = 100). The most affordable metro is Decatur at 55.0, while Chicago-Joliet-Naperville is the most expensive at 111.0—a difference of 56 index points.
Other Rankings in Illinois
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