CountyScore

Cook County

Illinois · IL

#99 in Illinois
51.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Cook County, Illinois

Right at national average, nothing more

Cook County scores 50.7, barely above the national median of 50.0, landing near the 50th percentile. This indicates livability that meets—but doesn't exceed—typical national standards.

Significantly below Illinois average

At 50.7, Cook County trails Illinois's state average of 62.1 by over 11 points, ranking it in the bottom tier statewide. Most other Illinois counties offer superior overall livability profiles.

Strong incomes offset high costs

Cook County's Income Score of 36.8 reflects a median household income of $81,797—the second-highest in this cohort. This earning power is essential, given the county's elevated costs.

Housing and tax burdens are substantial

Cook County's Cost Score of just 57.4 reflects median home values of $305,200 and rents of $1,381/month—significantly higher than peers. Combined with an effective tax rate of 1.983% and Tax Score of 46.5, the combined burden pressures even affluent households.

For high-income urban professionals only

Cook County suits affluent professionals and families working in Chicago's robust job market who can absorb substantial housing and living costs. Those seeking lower taxes, affordability, and moderate incomes will find far better value elsewhere in Illinois.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax46.5Cost57.4SafetyComing SoonHealth71.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.8Risk0WaterComing Soon
🏛46.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠57.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Cook County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Will County
Illinois
51.7
Median income: $107,799
Somerset County
New Jersey
51.7
Median income: $135,960
Sussex County
New Jersey
51.7
Median income: $114,316
Nueces County
Texas
51.7
Median income: $66,021
McHenry County
Illinois
51.8
Median income: $102,836

Deep Dives

Cook County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cook County

via TaxByCounty

Cook County taxes slightly above national average

With an effective tax rate of 1.983%, Cook County sits above the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the 57th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $6,053 more than doubles the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's substantially higher median home values at $305,200.

Above average within Illinois

Cook County ranks 40th among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate at 1.983%, above the state average of 1.831%. Its median property tax of $6,053 is more than double the state median of $2,782, making it the highest in this eight-county group.

Highest actual taxes but moderate rate

Though Cook County's 1.983% effective rate is lower than Cass County (2.102%) and Champaign County (2.070%), its median property tax of $6,053 is by far the highest due to much higher home values. The county's substantial property wealth drives the absolute tax bill higher than all regional peers.

What an average Cook County home costs annually

The median Cook County home valued at $305,200 generates an estimated $6,053 in annual property taxes—triple the median in Cass County. Homeowners with mortgages pay $6,346, while those without mortgages pay $5,496.

High home values mean bigger reassessment savings

Cook County homeowners can appeal their property assessments with the county assessor's office at no cost. Given Cook County's high property values and tax bills, a successful appeal reducing your rate by even a fraction of a percent could save $1,000 or more annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cook County

via CostByCounty

Cook County housing costs strain most earners

At 20.3% of income spent on rent, Cook County residents face the nation's housing affordability crisis head-on—far exceeding the 30% threshold that signals distress. Despite a $81,797 median household income near national levels, the $1,381 monthly rent creates pressure that most American households don't experience.

Illinois's most expensive housing market

Cook County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks dead last among Illinois counties profiled, exceeding even Champaign County's 19.4%. At $1,381, median rent runs 65% above the state average ($837), driven by Chicago's metro demand and a $305,200 median home value—nearly triple the state typical.

Urban premium reflects metropolitan reality

Cook County's $1,381 rent dwells in a different universe from rural neighbors—nearly double Champaign County ($1,018) and four times Clark County ($828). Chicago's global city status and dense population create housing scarcity that no amount of income fully compensates for.

Ownership even more strained than renting

Homeowners pay $1,686 monthly—far exceeding the already-painful $1,381 rent—against a $81,797 income that stretches thin. The $305,200 median home value requires down payments and mortgages that exclude most working-class households, pricing out affordability entirely.

Cook County demands highest-income relocators

Moving to Cook County requires financial resilience; its 20.3% rent burden and $1,381 rents demand six-figure incomes to achieve true affordability. If you're considering relocation, compare it soberly against downstate alternatives like Cass (13.4% burden), Clinton (13.6%), or even Champaign (19.4%)—the savings could be substantial.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cook County

via IncomeByCounty

Cook County slightly above U.S. income median

Cook County's median household income of $81,797 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $7,042. The county's per capita income of $47,801 is the highest among Illinois's rural and mid-size counties, reflecting Chicago's economic engine.

Top income performer in Illinois

At $81,797, Cook County leads Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $13,217, ranking in the top 2% of Illinois counties. The county's dominance reflects its position as the state's economic and population center.

Comparable to Clinton County's income strength

Cook County ($81,797) nearly matches Clinton County ($82,314) for highest household income, vastly outpacing rural peers like Cass ($64,907) and Christian ($59,253). The two counties anchor Illinois's strongest income tier.

Housing costs remain elevated despite income

Cook County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% is the highest among comparison counties, reflecting Chicago-area housing inflation and tight rental markets. Even strong household income is pressured by metro-area housing costs approaching problematic levels.

Sophisticated strategies for high earners

Cook County's above-average income enables households to prioritize tax-efficient strategies: maxing 401(k)s, investing in taxable accounts, and considering real estate or small business opportunities. Professional financial advice pays dividends at this income level for accelerating wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cook County

via HealthByCounty

Illinois's largest county lags on coverage

Cook County residents live to 77.4 years, above the U.S. average (76.1 years) but below Illinois's state average (76.0 years)—a mixed picture for the state's largest county. However, 9.7% lack insurance, the highest rate in the study, creating access inequities.

Uninsured rate far exceeds state average

Cook County's 9.7% uninsured rate is more than 1.5 times Illinois's state average of 6.3%, despite its robust health infrastructure and urban advantages. This disparity reflects coverage barriers in America's third-largest metro area.

Urban advantage tempered by coverage gap

Cook County's 77.4-year life expectancy exceeds most peer counties, yet its 9.7% uninsured rate dramatically outpaces all comparison counties (range: 5.7–6.6%). Urban density and population diversity complicate access equity.

Dense provider networks, persistent uninsurance

Cook County has 92 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 399 mental health providers per 100,000, among the densest networks studied. Yet 9.7% remain uninsured, unable to access this abundance of care.

Navigate Chicago's health insurance options

Cook County's complex urban landscape demands intentional action on coverage. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 for help navigating plans—many offer subsidies and don't exclude pre-existing conditions.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cook County

via RiskByCounty

Cook County faces very high risk

Cook County's composite risk score of 99.97 ranks among the highest in the nation, earning a Very High risk designation. This score reflects substantial and widespread exposure to multiple major natural hazards.

Illinois's riskiest county by far

At 99.97, Cook County dramatically exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46 and ranks as the state's highest-risk region. Residents face nearly double the disaster exposure of the typical Illinois county.

Vastly riskier than all neighbors

Cook County (99.97) faces substantially higher disaster risk than all surrounding counties, including Cass County (38.65) and Christian County (54.04). Its risk profile stands alone as the state's most hazardous region.

Tornadoes and floods dominate

Cook County's tornado risk (99.97) and flood risk (99.94) both rank among the nation's highest, nearly maxing out the scale. These catastrophic-level exposures, combined with significant earthquake (98.41) and wildfire (55.79) risks, create an exceptionally complex hazard environment.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Cook County residents must obtain flood insurance, secure robust tornado coverage, and review earthquake protection as part of a comprehensive insurance strategy. Advanced emergency planning, safe room construction, and regular policy updates are essential safeguards in this very high-risk region.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.