Salary & Cost of Living in Buffalo Grove, IL
Buffalo Grove, IL: $56,012 median salary, cost of living index 87.7, $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$56,012
$27/hr
Cost of Living
87.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.6%
rate
Buffalo Grove, IL Overview
Population
41,496
Median Salary
$56,012
Average Salary
$62,733
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$217,000
Median Rent
$889/mo
Job Growth
+2.8%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Buffalo Grove is located in Illinois with a population of 41,496. The median household salary is $56,012 per year ($27/hour), which is $3,372 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
Buffalo Grove Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Buffalo Grove, IL based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $56,012 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $34,727 | $16.70/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $56,012 | $26.93/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $79,537 | $38.24/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $99,701 | $47.94/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Buffalo Grove Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Buffalo Grove, IL, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$44,272
$3,689.30/month · $1,702.75/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.0%
Gross Pay
$56,012
Federal Tax
-$4,683
State Tax
-$2,773
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,285
Net Pay
$44,272
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,667.67 | $56,012.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$390.25 | -$4,682.94 |
| Illinois State Tax (4.95%) | -$231.05 | -$2,772.59 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$289.40 | -$3,472.74 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$67.68 | -$812.17 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,689.30 | $44,271.55 |
Salary Comparison: Buffalo Grove vs Other Cities
See how Buffalo Grove's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Grove, IL | $56,012 | 87.7 | $63,868 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Wilkes-Barre, PA | $56,010 | 89.9 | $62,303 |
| Martinez, CA | $56,005 | 149.3 | $37,512 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $56,000 | 96 | $58,333 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,000 | 85 | $65,882 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove's cost of living index is 87.7 (national average = 100). Living in Buffalo Grove is 12.299999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$217,000
Median Monthly Rent
$889
Annual Rent Cost
$10,668
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $44,272 annual take-home pay in Buffalo Grove has the purchasing power of approximately $50,481 in an average-cost US area. Your $56,012 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $56,012.
Salary Tips for Buffalo Grove Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Buffalo Grove has a cost of living 12.299999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $56,012 here has the purchasing power of about $63,868 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Buffalo Grove's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $56,012 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Buffalo Grove salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Buffalo Grove-IL metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Buffalo Grove indexed at 87.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Buffalo Grove's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $56,012 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Illinois state income tax (4.95%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Buffalo Grove: 4.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Manufacturing, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Illinois.
- Housing context: median home price $217,000, median rent $889/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Buffalo Grove, IL:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Buffalo Grove unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Buffalo Grove QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Illinois — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Buffalo Grove's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Illinois labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Buffalo Grove, IL?
The median salary in Buffalo Grove, IL is $56,012 per year, or $27 per hour. The average salary is $62,733. This is $3,372 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Buffalo Grove, IL?
Buffalo Grove's cost of living index is 87.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.299999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $217,000 and the median monthly rent is $889.
What are the best industries in Buffalo Grove?
The top industries in Buffalo Grove, IL include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $56,012.
How does Buffalo Grove's salary compare to other cities?
Buffalo Grove's median salary of $56,012 is 5.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $63,868.
What is the minimum wage in Buffalo Grove, IL?
The minimum wage in Buffalo Grove, IL is $14.00 per hour. This equals approximately $29,120 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $6.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.