In the event you’re planning on shifting to Illinois, add these cities to your listing.
Rooted in agriculture and constructed excessive into the sky, Illinois is America’s heartland. Agriculture and trade 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 folks reside within the area, making it one of many largest metropolitan areas on the planet.
Outdoors of Chicago (“downstate”), Illinois exhibits off its rural facet. 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 Bottom” – the influential floodplain of the Mississippi River.
Each area of Illinois has character and distinctive cities. However, which cities are the very best? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the very best locations to reside in Illinois, rating them on qualities akin to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. Yow will discover extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
The very best locations to reside in Illinois
Bloomington, IL
Chicago, IL
Champaign, IL
Evanston, IL
Regular, IL
Springfield, IL
Peoria, IL
Cicero, IL
Wheaton, IL
Decatur, IL
1. Bloomington, IL
Inhabitants:78,587Median Sale Value:$235,000Median Lease Value:$965Average Commute Time:16.7 minutesUnemployment Price:2.0%
Bloomington sits within the coronary heart of the Corn Belt in Central Illinois, giving it a peaceable, small-town vibe with out shedding out on big-city comforts. Reasonably priced dwelling, sizable public transportation, low unemployment, and simple commuting assist make Bloomington the very best place to reside in Illinois.
Town is often lumped along with Regular to the north, giving the world the mixed nickname Blo-No.
Bloomington’s job market is a significant draw. Giant 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 economic system.
Facilities are all over the place, too. With scenic paths just like the Structure Path, it’s simple to get outdoors for a stroll, jog, or bike trip. 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 vigorous with sports activities, live shows, and theater.
Meals choices don’t disappoint, both. Tony’s Diner and Tobin’s Pizza are nice choices. For many who want cooking, the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is an enormous draw for produce and handmade items. Plus, native occasions just like the Competition of Bushes and McClean County Truthful present loads of probabilities to fulfill 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 quick practice trip to Chicago.
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2. Chicago, IL
Inhabitants:2,664,452Median Sale Value:$360,000Median Lease Value:$1,750Average Commute Time:33.5 minutesUnemployment Price:5.4%
When most individuals consider Illinois, they consider Chicago – one of many largest and most iconic cities in the USA. Large skyscrapers, waterfront vistas, centuries of historical past, and a tradition recognized the world over make town a significant draw and immediately recognizable.
Even with its dimension, Chicago manages to be one of the vital 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 properties inside attain for these making the world’s $95,513 median revenue.
World-class public transportation, giant parks, glorious schooling, avid sports activities scenes, and lots extra make Chicago the second-best greatest place to reside within the U.S. You’ll be able to’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 properties on the market | Chicago homes for lease | Chicago residences for lease
3. Champaign, IL
Inhabitants:89,189Median Sale Value:$229,000Median Lease Value:$1,105Average Commute Time:15.3 minutesUnemployment Price:3.0%
About two hours south of Chicago lies Champaign, a small metropolis recognized for its universities and miles of farmland. An inexpensive value of dwelling, a big selection of restaurant choices, and nice navigability make it the most effective 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 typically lumped collectively into one metropolis. Urbana is a bit smaller and spreads out into the countryside fairly rapidly.
One in every of Champaign’s greatest attracts is its public transportation. The bus system is supported by each the college and metropolis – which 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 certain to go to the general public library or Farmers’ Market when the climate is sweet.
Champaign properties on the market | Champaign homes for lease | Champaign residences for lease
4. Evanston, IL
Inhabitants:75,070Median Sale Value:$434,000Median Lease Value:$1,885Average Commute Time:28.5 minutesUnemployment Price: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 power, occasions, and top-tier collegiate sports activities. Its downtown space is historic, filled with small enterprise, and vigorous, whereas parks and trails make for simple out of doors enjoyable.
Due to its many facilities and better than common month-to-month taxes and payments, dwelling in Evanston will value fairly a bit. Nonetheless, many suppose it’s value it. Getting round is simple, the schooling high quality is excessive, and also you gained’t tire of the handfuls of eating places and outlets within the coronary heart of city. Summers carry farmers markets and neighborhood festivals, whereas the colder months provide cozy espresso outlets and occasions.
Moreover, because of the CTA Purple Line and Metra’s Union Pacific North line, you’ll be able to get pleasure from stress-free commutes into downtown Chicago.
Out of all of Chicago’s suburbs, many may anticipate Naperville or Aurora to make the listing. Nonetheless, they each have an absence of transportation choices – like airports and bus stations – and facilities, which impacted their rankings.
Evanston properties on the market | Evanston homes for lease | Evanston residences for lease
5. Regular, IL
Inhabitants:52,618Median Sale Value:$265,000Median Lease Value:$1,120Average Commute Time:17.3 minutesUnemployment Price: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 Neighborhood Faculty are the social anchors of city, giving it a university city vibe. Occasions just like the Corn Competition and Illinois Shakespeare Competition give residents loads to stay up for yearly.
Regular is usually extra suburban than Bloomington, however has a surprisingly sturdy economic 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 increase.
Head out of city and also you’ll run into miles of farmland in each route, some with U-Decide farms and small shops. On the town, you’ve gotten 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 the most effective locations to reside in Illinois.
Regular properties on the market | Regular homes for lease | Regular residences for lease
6. Springfield, IL
Inhabitants:112,544Median Sale Value:$179,000Median Lease Value:$825Average Commute Time:17.7 minutesUnemployment Price:3.6%
To not be confused with one in every of 67 different Springfields throughout the nation, Springfield, IL is the state capital and the most effective locations to reside in Illinois. A low value of dwelling, loads of industrial grit, and native jobs alternatives make Springfield the most effective cities in Illinois.
Don’t fear – Lincoln’s legacy is widely known all through city. You’ll be able to immerse your self in historical past on the Lincoln Dwelling Nationwide Historic Web site or discover the spectacular Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Downtown, you’ll discover traditional diners, domestically owned outlets, and a gradual stream of cultural occasions – just like the Previous Capitol Artwork Truthful and Previous Capitol Farmers Market – making it simple to have interaction with locals.
It can take a automobile to get across the space, although. For jobs, many individuals work within the authorities and healthcare, with tech alternatives exhausting to seek out. In the event you’re extra into the outside, make sure that to go to Washington Park or one in every of many golf programs on the town.
Springfield properties on the market | Springfield homes for lease | Springfield residences for lease
7. Peoria, IL
Inhabitants:110,460Median Sale Value:$148,000Median Lease Value:$935Average Commute Time:17.6 minutesUnemployment Price:5.9%
Peoria offers an enormous variety of advantages in an inexpensive package deal. 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 ideal job market besides. Most employers are associated to healthcare and agriculture, with Caterpillar and OSF HealthCare headquartered on the town.
Peoria Lake and the Illinois River run by means of the middle of city and supply a stunning backdrop for walks, runs, or spending a day within the historic downtown. Be certain so as to add the Rock Island Greenway and Grandview Drive to your strolling rotation. 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 Heart – a scorching spot for occasions. High it off with a rising meals scene and neighborhood craft breweries, and also you’ve acquired a group with a shocking quantity of aptitude.
Peoria properties on the market | Peoria homes for lease | Peoria residences for lease
8. Cicero, IL
Inhabitants:81,004Median Sale Value:$298,000Median Lease Value:$840Average Commute Time:29.7 minutesUnemployment Price:3.0%
The city of Cicero is a West-Chicago suburb that blends inexpensive dwelling and pleasant group into an ideal place to reside. You’ll typically discover residents gathering at Cicero Neighborhood Park for film nights or live shows, 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 through the Pink Line and by automobile through Interstates 290 and 55. Cicero Neighborhood 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 deal with considerations.
Dwelling in Cicero means you’re within the thick of town, but additionally 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 turn out to be your weekly staple.
Cicero properties on the market | Cicero homes for lease | Cicero residences for lease
9. Wheaton, IL
Inhabitants:52,938Median Sale Value:$489,000Median Lease Value:$1,700Average Commute Time:26.1 minutesUnemployment Price:2.5%
Wheaton is the image of suburbia, with tree-lined streets, a quaint downtown, and a straightforward commute into Chicago through 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 just some 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 very best 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 ideal vacation occasion from November-January.
Like different close by cities, Wheaton has a quaint downtown with loads of eating places, outlets, 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 every thing you want with out the effort makes Wheaton the most effective locations to reside in Illinois.
Wheaton properties on the market | Wheaton homes for lease | Wheaton residences for lease
10. Decatur, IL
Inhabitants:68,670Median Sale Value:$138,000Median Lease Value:$700Average Commute Time:17.4 minutesUnemployment Price: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 pleasing place to reside.
Locals love gathering round man-made Lake Decatur for fishing and boating, or at one in every 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 just some distinctive eating places scattered all through town.
Decatur’s inhabitants has been declining for many years, with a big fall within the 2010s as a result of financial struggles. Nonetheless, inhabitants losses have almost stopped, and town nonetheless has a significant financial presence. Tate & Lyle, Caterpillar, and ADM are the biggest firms on the town, providing hundreds of jobs. Vital to notice: when you reside downwind of the ADM or Tate & Lyle factories, be ready for sturdy corn and soy-like smells, which could be disagreeable.
Decatur properties on the market | Decatur homes for lease | Decatur residences for lease
Methodology
Redfin’s Finest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist house searchers make an knowledgeable resolution when selecting the place to reside. To aim 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 tendencies, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of fifty,000 or higher had been thought-about for our Illinois listing. Extra details about our methodology could be discovered right here.
Information legitimate April 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
