Increased taxes when moving to suburb from downstate? (Chicago, Wheaton: sales, insurance)

[Nickythebean]

We are considering a move to Chicago this summer. Suburbs being considered are Hinsdale, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn. We talked to our State Farm agent, and apparently, there would be no change in our auto or homeowners taxes if we moved to any of those cities.

Somebody said there may be a city income tax? Or a county one? Does anyone know?

I know there is a higher property tax rate there versus here.

Trying to see how much our basic cost of living would go up. I did the online calculator, and the difference between milk prices, etc. are negligible.

Other than my thoughts above, is there anything I'm not thinking of?

[chet everett]

I can almost guarantee that your actual costs of auto insurance will drop substantially, I think there may be legal restrictions it it is due to location. Now the factors will include having a garage, combined auto & home owner, and decreased claim history, but you will save money.

Similarly, you very likely will find grocery bills smaller by a few percentage points. Some of this is the reduced sales tax on "non food items" that you do buy at Jewel-Osco or wherever but also because the shelf prices on some things that are not sale items really are cheaper. The official word from Jewel is that "individual stores set prices to reflect local market competition" and when Jewel in the burbs has Costco & Sams Club and all kinds of independant stores (and smaller shrink...) they respond with better prices.

Taxes on stuff that are hidden from routine analysis, like cell phone /data / subscription TV are generally cheaper out here too.

There is NO city income tax nor any such atrocity from Cook Co, yet, but who knows what Rahm and Toni will do to try to pay the higher interest rate that their new junk bond status will accrue...

Buy the most affordable home in the nicest town and you will never regret it!

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Nickythebean

Somebody said there may be a city income tax? Or a county one? Does anyone know?

I know there is a higher property tax rate there versus here.

Thankfully we have none of those! But perhaps your sales tax will go up a tiny bit depending on what county you are moving from? We are at 8.25% in Glen Ellyn.

Originally Posted by Nickythebean

Trying to see how much our basic cost of living would go up. I did the online calculator, and the difference between milk prices, etc. are negligible.

Other than my thoughts above, is there anything I'm not thinking of?

Housing will be your primary difference in COL (including property taxes in that statement). Gas prices will also likely be a little higher, as all of Chicagoland uses the "reformulated gas" that comes from a special refinery in Indiana. If you drive on the tollways a lot, there could be added cost there. If one of you is commuting downtown, that could be an additional cost (either parking or Metra passes). Perhaps a vehicle sticker (only $35 a year in Glen Ellyn, so not that significant... Just annoying). Can't think of anything else.

[Nickythebean]

All good info. Thanks.