In the event you’re planning on shifting to Illinois, add these cities to your checklist.
Rooted in agriculture and constructed excessive into the sky, Illinois is America’s heartland. Agriculture and business outline the state, with wealthy locomotive and farming legacies. Illinois is the fifth-largest agricultural state within the nation, with corn, soybeans, and swine the highest commodities.
Alongside the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago rises excessive into the sky, showcasing its almost two centuries of artwork, tradition, and historical past. Its suburbs stretch for 50+ miles outwards from the lake into the “collar counties” bordering Wisconsin and Indiana and deep into the enduring prairies, rivers, and bluffs of the midwest. Practically ten million individuals reside within the area, making it one of many largest metropolitan areas on the planet.
Outdoors of Chicago (“downstate”), Illinois exhibits off its rural aspect. Farmland rolls so far as the attention can see, damaged up by small cities and hills. Reasonably priced land, quiet communities, and pure magnificence make this an interesting place to reside. Furthest to the south are the Shawnee Hills and the well-known “American Backside” – the influential floodplain of the Mississippi River.
Each area of Illinois has character and distinctive cities. However, which cities are the most effective? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the most effective locations to reside in Illinois, rating them on qualities similar to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You’ll find extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
1. Bloomington, IL
Inhabitants:
78,587
Median Sale Value:
$196,500
Median Lease Value:
$1,350
Common Commute Time:
16.3 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
2.0%
Bloomington sits within the coronary heart of the Corn Belt in Central Illinois, giving it a peaceable, small-town vibe with out dropping out on big-city comforts. Reasonably priced dwelling, sizable public transportation, low unemployment, and straightforward commuting assist make Bloomington the most effective place to reside in Illinois.
Town is normally lumped along with Regular to the north, giving the world the mixed nickname Blo-No.
Bloomington’s job market is a serious draw. Massive employers like State Farm and Nation Monetary have headquarters on the town, which, alongside manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture, make up a majority of its rising financial system.
Facilities are in all places, too. With scenic paths just like the Structure Path, it’s simple to get outdoors for a stroll, jog, or bike journey. Town additionally has fashionable stops like Miller Park Zoo and the McLean County Museum of Historical past, nice for a weekend journey. Illinois State College and Illinois Wesleyan College preserve the scene full of life with sports activities, concert events, and theater.
Meals choices don’t disappoint, both. Tony’s Diner and Tobin’s Pizza are nice choices. For individuals who desire cooking, the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is an enormous draw for produce and handmade items. Plus, native occasions just like the Pageant of Bushes and McClean County Honest present loads of probabilities to satisfy neighbors and expertise the state’s famously variable climate. In the event you’re hungering for a weekend within the metropolis, it’s only a brief prepare journey to Chicago.
Bloomington houses on the market | Bloomington homes for lease | Bloomington flats for lease
2. Chicago, IL
Inhabitants:
2,664,452
Median Sale Value:
$360,000
Median Lease Value:
$1,796
Common Commute Time:
34.7 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
5.4%
When most individuals consider Illinois, they consider Chicago – one of many largest and most iconic cities in the US. Huge skyscrapers, waterfront vistas, centuries of historical past, and a tradition recognized internationally make town a serious draw and immediately recognizable.
Even with its measurement, Chicago manages to be one of many most inexpensive cities within the U.S. Costs differ throughout a lot of its neighborhoods – locations like Gold Coast and Lincoln Park are costly – however many areas within the metropolis have houses inside attain for these making the world’s $95,513 median revenue.
World-class public transportation, giant parks, wonderful training, avid sports activities scenes, and lots extra make Chicago the second-best finest place to reside within the U.S. You may’t neglect about its local weather, both; whereas more and more unpredictable, many individuals love the chilly winters, scorching summers, and beautiful springs and falls.
In fact, the Windy Metropolis isn’t with out its challenges – it has a posh racial historical past and a pronounced wealth hole that’s nonetheless felt in some elements of city. However many select the Windy Metropolis for its job market, internationally acknowledged meals scene, and lineup of festivals and occasions year-round. A rising variety of companies are selecting to maneuver to the world, too, giving relocating residents extra choices.
Chicago houses on the market | Chicago homes for lease | Chicago flats for lease
3. Champaign, IL
Inhabitants:
89,189
Median Sale Value:
$232,000
Median Lease Value:
$1,290
Common Commute Time:
15.2 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
3.0%
About two hours south of Chicago lies Champaign, a small metropolis recognized for its universities and miles of farmland. An inexpensive price of dwelling, a wide selection of restaurant choices, and nice navigability make it among the best locations to reside in Illinois.
Champaign is a traditional school city, with the College of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offering actions, jobs, and loads of facilities. The city of Urbana sits simply to the southeast of Champaign, so they’re usually lumped collectively into one metropolis. Urbana is a bit smaller and spreads out into the countryside fairly rapidly.
Certainly one of Champaign’s largest attracts is its public transportation. The bus system is supported by each the college and metropolis – that means it punches far above its weight – and Amtrak rapidly takes you to Chicago or St. Louis. That, plus little or no site visitors, means getting round is a breeze. Be sure to go to the general public library or Farmers’ Market when the climate is sweet.
Champaign houses on the market | Champaign homes for lease | Champaign flats for lease
4. Evanston, IL
Inhabitants:
75,070
Median Sale Value:
$436,000
Median Lease Value:
$2,284
Common Commute Time:
30.6 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
3.1%
Evanston, a north Chicago suburb alongside the shores of Lake Michigan, is the fourth-best place to reside in Illinois. Anchored by the distinguished Northwestern College, the faculty metropolis buzzes with mental vitality, occasions, and top-tier collegiate sports activities. Its downtown space is historic, stuffed with small enterprise, and full of life, whereas parks and trails make for simple out of doors enjoyable.
Due to its many facilities and larger than common month-to-month taxes and payments, dwelling in Evanston will price fairly a bit. Nevertheless, many suppose it’s price it. Getting round is simple, the training high quality is excessive, and also you received’t tire of the handfuls of eating places and retailers within the coronary heart of city. Summers carry farmers markets and neighborhood festivals, whereas the colder months supply cozy espresso retailers and occasions.
Moreover, because of the CTA Purple Line and Metra’s Union Pacific North line, you possibly can take pleasure in stress-free commutes into downtown Chicago.
Out of all of Chicago’s suburbs, many may count on Naperville or Aurora to make the checklist. Nevertheless, they each have an absence of transportation choices – like airports and bus stations – and facilities, which impacted their rankings.
Evanston houses on the market | Evanston homes for lease | Evanston flats for lease
5. Regular, IL
Inhabitants:
52,618
Median Sale Value:
$248,000
Median Lease Value:
$888
Common Commute Time:
16.7 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
2.4%
Regular shares a border with its twin metropolis, Bloomington, but it carves out its personal id with a college-town vibe and loads of job alternatives. Illinois State College and Heartland Group Faculty are the social anchors of city, giving it a school city vibe. Occasions just like the Corn Pageant and Illinois Shakespeare Pageant give residents a lot to sit up for yearly.
Regular is mostly extra suburban than Bloomington, however has a surprisingly sturdy financial system. Rivian has their main manufacturing plant on the town, which has added hundreds of jobs and simply obtained almost $1 billion from town to broaden.
Head out of city and also you’ll run into miles of farmland in each course, some with U-Choose farms and small shops. On the town, you might have parks like Fairview Park and Maxwell Park, which have golf programs and athletic fields. In brief, Regular is a small city with big-city facilities and inexpensive housing, making it among the best locations to reside in Illinois.
Regular houses on the market | Regular homes for lease | Regular flats for lease
6. Springfield, IL
Inhabitants:
112,544
Median Sale Value:
$138,750
Median Lease Value:
$1,100
Common Commute Time:
17.9 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
3.6%
To not be confused with considered one of 67 different Springfields throughout the nation, Springfield, IL is the state capital and among the best locations to reside in Illinois. A low price of dwelling, loads of industrial grit, and native jobs alternatives make Springfield among the best cities in Illinois.
Don’t fear – Lincoln’s legacy is widely known all through city. You may immerse your self in historical past on the Lincoln House Nationwide Historic Website or discover the spectacular Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Downtown, you’ll discover traditional diners, domestically owned retailers, and a gradual stream of cultural occasions – just like the Previous Capitol Artwork Honest and Previous Capitol Farmers Market – making it simple to interact with locals.
It’s going to take a automobile to get across the space, although. For jobs, many individuals work within the authorities and healthcare, with tech alternatives laborious to seek out. In the event you’re extra into the outside, be sure that to go to Washington Park or considered one of many golf programs on the town.
Springfield houses on the market | Springfield homes for lease | Springfield flats for lease
7. Peoria, IL
Inhabitants:
110,460
Median Sale Value:
$132,250
Median Lease Value:
$1,115
Common Commute Time:
17.3 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
5.9%
Peoria supplies an enormous variety of advantages in an inexpensive bundle. Nice parks, woodlands, loads of occasions, and a rising music scene are all advantages most individuals love. It’s a mid-sized metropolis with Midwestern character and loads of pleasant faces, with an awesome job market as well. Most employers are associated to healthcare and agriculture, with Caterpillar and OSF HealthCare headquartered on the town.
Peoria Lake and the Illinois River run via the middle of city and supply a beautiful backdrop for walks, runs, or spending a day within the historic downtown. Be sure so as to add the Rock Island Greenway and Grandview Drive to your strolling rotation. Importantly, some areas of Peoria are empty, however the metropolis has been investing massive to revitalize its Downtown and waterfront.
Sports activities lovers can hit Dozer Park for minor league baseball or cheer on Bradley College basketball on the Peoria Civic Middle – a scorching spot for occasions. Prime it off with a rising meals scene and neighborhood craft breweries, and also you’ve received a group with a stunning quantity of aptitude.
Peoria houses on the market | Peoria homes for lease | Peoria flats for lease
8. Cicero, IL
Inhabitants:
81,004
Median Sale Value:
$322,000
Median Lease Value:
$1,295
Common Commute Time:
30.4 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
3.0%
The city of Cicero is a West-Chicago suburb that blends inexpensive dwelling and pleasant group into an awesome place to reside. You’ll usually discover residents gathering at Cicero Group Park for film nights or concert events, though different park choices are restricted. Cicero’s affordability is what helps it earn its spot because the eight-best place to reside in Illinois.
Getting round Cicero is simple on foot by way of the Pink Line and by automobile by way of Interstates 290 and 55. Cicero Group Park and Morton Faculty are gathering spots for college kids and residents. Importantly, flooding is a rising concern, however the city lately obtained $96 million to assist tackle considerations.
Residing in Cicero means you’re within the thick of town, but in addition that you simply’ll by no means run out of close by issues to do. In the event you don’t need to journey, most facilities nearer to city are positioned to the east on the Cicero Market Place and Hawthorne Works malls. Meals choices are nice, with traditional chains and native hotspots. Freddy’s PIzza is a must-visit and can seemingly develop into your weekly staple.
Cicero houses on the market | Cicero homes for lease | Cicero flats for lease
9. Wheaton, IL
Inhabitants:
52,938
Median Sale Value:
$388,500
Median Lease Value:
$2,282
Common Commute Time:
27.5 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
2.5%
Wheaton is the image of suburbia, with tree-lined streets, a quaint downtown, and a straightforward commute into Chicago by way of the Metra Practice. However there’s extra right here than a reasonably setting. Wheaton Faculty, walks alongside the Illinois Prairie Path, and the Cosley Zoo are only a few of the city’s many advantages. The Danada Forest Protect is simply a brief drive away, too.
When winter hits, take your self to the most effective sled hill within the space at Northside Park. In the event you’re up for a day outdoors, historic Cantigny park is simply 10 minutes away and features a backyard, golf course, museums, and extra. Concert events, lectures, and festivals are held year-round, with an awesome vacation occasion from November-January.
Like different close by cities, Wheaton has a quaint downtown with loads of eating places, retailers, a library, and two parks. Town’s tight-knit really feel shines in occasions just like the weekly French Market and seasonal festivals across the DuPage County Fairgrounds. In brief, pure magnificence, entry to town, and all the things you want with out the effort makes Wheaton among the best locations to reside in Illinois.
Wheaton houses on the market | Wheaton homes for lease | Wheaton flats for lease
10. Decatur, IL
Inhabitants:
68,670
Median Sale Value:
$110,500
Median Lease Value:
$920
Common Commute Time:
17.1 minutes
Unemployment Charge:
5.4%
Decatur, an agriculture and former steelworking mecca, is the tenth-best place to reside in Illinois. Very inexpensive housing, quiet streets, and entry to nature make for a peaceable and pleasant place to reside.
Locals love gathering round man-made Lake Decatur for fishing and boating, or at considered one of many parks surrounding the lake, like Nelson Park and the Kaufman Lakeside Conservation Space. Plus, town has been actively revitalizing neighborhoods, with combined success. Decatur is a small Midwestern metropolis, although, with farmland and only a few distinctive eating places scattered all through town.
Decatur’s inhabitants has been declining for many years, with a big fall within the 2010s resulting from financial struggles. Nevertheless, inhabitants losses have almost stopped, and town nonetheless has a serious financial presence. Tate & Lyle, Caterpillar, and ADM are the most important companies on the town, providing hundreds of jobs. Necessary to notice: when you reside downwind of the ADM or Tate & Lyle factories, be ready for sturdy corn and soy-like smells, which might be disagreeable.
Decatur houses on the market | Decatur homes for lease | Decatur flats for lease
Methodology
Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist dwelling searchers make an knowledgeable resolution when selecting the place to reside. To try to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes under consideration a number of key components, together with entry to healthcare, open out of doors house, navigability, housing developments, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of fifty,000 or better had been thought-about for our Illinois checklist. Extra details about our methodology might be discovered right here.
Information legitimate February 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.