Cost of Living in Urbana
Urbana's cost of living centers on genuinely low housing prices, offset by a real, elevated local property tax and a combined sales tax that approaches Chicago's own high-water mark.
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Learn moreGenuinely low housing costs
Zillow's average Urbana home value ran approximately $168,903 (up 4.8% year-over-year) -- well below both Illinois's and the national figures.
A real, elevated tax offset
Champaign County's effective property tax rate (2.06%-2.30%) and Urbana's 9.0% combined sales tax (6.25% state + 1.25% county + 1.5% city) both run genuinely above typical Illinois figures, offsetting some of the housing-price advantage.
Fare-free transit lowers the true cost for UIUC-affiliated residents
UIUC students, faculty, and staff ride the Champaign-Urbana MTD entirely fare-free via their i-Card, a real, meaningful cost offset most Illinois cities this size don't offer.
Key takeaways
- Urbana's housing costs run genuinely low relative to Illinois and national averages.
- A real, elevated property tax and 9.0% combined sales tax offset some of that housing advantage.
- Fare-free MTD transit is a genuine cost advantage for UIUC-affiliated residents specifically.
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