From Chicago’s iconic skyline and world-class museums to historic landmarks like Abraham Lincoln’s dwelling and the picturesque Starved Rock State Park, there are many causes to contemplate transferring to Illinois. If Illinois sounds just like the state for you, then you might also be interested by what cities match into your price range. For instance, the median dwelling sale worth in Illinois is $285,900 as of April.Â
Don’t fear if that worth doesn’t slot in your price range – we’ve received choices that will help you discover a dwelling or residence that does. Redfin has rounded up a listing of 10 of essentially the most reasonably priced locations to reside in Illinois – and so they all have a median dwelling sale worth below $285,900. Let’s discover out which cities made the listing.
#1: Decatur
Median dwelling worth: $102,250Average sale worth per sq. foot: $75Â Median family revenue: $45,404Â Nearest main metro: Springfield (40 miles)Decatur, IL properties for saleDecatur, IL residences for lease
With a median dwelling sale worth of $102,250, Decatur is available in at primary on our listing of most reasonably priced locations to reside in Illinois. There are about 70,500 residents dwelling on this mid-sized metropolis. When you’re contemplating transferring to this space be sure that to go to Nelson Park the place you’ll discover a restaurant, amphitheater, and views of Lake Decatur, try Rock Springs Conservation Space, and stroll alongside the paths at Fairview Park.
#2: Peoria
Median dwelling worth: $133,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $86Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $924 Median family revenue: $51,736 Nearest main metro: Chicago (160 miles)Peoria, IL properties for salePeoria, IL residences for lease
Coming in because the second most reasonably priced metropolis to reside in Illinois is Peoria. When dwelling on this metropolis of 113,100 individuals, you possibly can discover Laura Bradley Park and the Forest Park Nature Heart, try the riverfront and downtown Peoria, and go to museums just like the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
#3: Springfield
Median dwelling worth: $147,350Average sale worth per sq. foot: $90Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,030Median family revenue: $54,164 Nearest main metro: St. Louis (96 miles)Springfield, IL properties for saleSpringfield, IL residences for lease
About 114,400 individuals reside in Springfield, situated in central Illinois. The median dwelling sale worth is $147,350 which is about $140K lower than the median dwelling sale worth in Illinois. Ensure that to go to the Illinois State Capitol constructing and take a look at historic websites like Lincoln Dwelling Nationwide Historic Website, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and Dana-Thomas Home State Historic Website. You can too spend the day at Lake Springfield in the event you transfer to the third most reasonably priced metropolis.
#4: Rockford
Median dwelling worth: $165,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $98Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $987Median family revenue: $50,744Rockford, IL properties for saleRockford, IL residences for lease
With a median dwelling sale worth of $165,000, Rockford is the fourth on our listing of most reasonably priced locations to reside in Illinois. There are about 146,100 residents dwelling on this mid-sized metropolis. When you’re contemplating transferring to this space be sure that to go to a few of the metropolis’s inexperienced areas just like the Anderson Japanese Gardens, the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, and the Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Backyard. Rockford additionally has a terrific downtown alongside the Rock River, the place you’ll discover native eating places and breweries, the Rockford Metropolis Market, and the Coronado Performing Arts Heart.
#5: Bloomington
Median dwelling worth: $212,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $112Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,012Median family revenue: $66,861 Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)Bloomington, IL properties for saleBloomington, IL residences for lease
One other noteworthy metropolis is Bloomington, the place you’ll discover the house costs are about $120K lower than the state’s common. Bloomington has about 78,700 residents and is a superb metropolis to contemplate shopping for a house this yr. There are many actions to do on this metropolis. You’ll be able to go to the museums and historic spots just like the McLean County Museum of Historical past and David Davis Mansion, try Miller Park and the Miller Park Zoo, and golf at one of many programs, amongst many different native favorites.
#6: Waukegan
Median dwelling worth: $234,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $178 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,385Median family revenue: $66,077Nearest main metro: Chicago (45 miles)Waukegan, IL properties for saleWaukegan, IL residences for lease
Sixth on our listing is Waukegan, situated alongside Lake Michigan. Dwelling to about 87,600 residents, Waukegan is an superior reasonably priced lakefront metropolis to reside in. For instance, you possibly can take pleasure in Waukegan Municipal Seaside the place you’ll discover the Waukegan Dunes and the Waukegan Harbor Mild. Waukegan additionally has loads of landmarks just like the Genesee Theatre and inexperienced areas like Waukegan Savanna Forest Protect and the Illinois Seaside Nature Protect.Â
#7: Champaign
Median dwelling worth: $237,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $148 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,155 Median family revenue: $51,736 Nearest main metro: Springfield (86 miles)Champaign, IL properties for saleChampaign, IL residences for lease
Solely barely costlier than Waukegan is Champaign, the following metropolis on our listing. With roughly 88,300 residents in Champaign, be sure that to take a look at one of many parks like Kaufman Lake, discover downtown Champaign, and go to the College of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.
#8: Oak Garden
Median dwelling worth: $245,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $173Â Median family revenue: $69,352Â Nearest main metro: Chicago (25 miles)Oak Garden, IL properties for saleOak Garden, IL residences for lease
Subsequent on our listing of reasonably priced locations to reside in Illinois is Oak Garden. With a inhabitants of near 58,400, Oak Garden is a superb space to reside in that’s not almost as huge as the most important metropolitan cities in Illinois. It’s additionally conveniently situated simply southwest of Chicago. If you end up transferring to this metropolis be sure that to discover the Wolfe Wildlife Park the place you’ll discover trails and nature preserves, and take a look at the native eating places.
#9: Regular
Median dwelling worth: $265,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $121 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,225Median family revenue: $51,736 Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)Regular, IL properties for saleNormal, IL residences for lease
Contemplate including Regular to your listing of cities to take a look at to in the event you’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced place to reside in Illinois. With 52,700 individuals dwelling on this reasonably priced city, you possibly can try the Illinois State College campus, and go to a few of the historic spots and parks on the town.
#10: Joliet
Median dwelling worth: $285,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $177Â Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,235Â Median family revenue: $72,871Â Nearest main metro: Chicago (48 miles)Joliet, IL properties for saleJoliet, IL residences for lease
The ultimate metropolis on our listing of reasonably priced locations to reside in Illinois is Joliet. Dwelling to about 150,400 residents, Joliet is a superb choice to contemplate. Among the points of interest in Joliet embrace visiting the Joliet Space Historic Museum, stopping by the Rialto Sq. Theatre, and testing Historic Route 66.
Methodology: All cities will need to have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median dwelling sale worth below the common median dwelling sale worth in Illinois. Median dwelling sale worth and median sale worth per sq. foot from the Redfin Knowledge Heart throughout April 2025. Common rental information from Lease.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family revenue information sourced from the USA Census Bureau.
