From Chicago’s iconic skyline and world-class museums to historic landmarks like Abraham Lincoln’s house and the picturesque Starved Rock State Park, there are many causes to think about shifting to Illinois. If Illinois sounds just like the state for you, then you may additionally be inquisitive about what cities match into your price range. For instance, the median house sale worth in Illinois is $285,900 as of April.
Don’t fear if that worth doesn’t slot in your price range – we’ve obtained choices that can assist you discover a house or residence that does. Redfin has rounded up a listing of 10 of probably the most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois – and so they all have a median house sale worth beneath $285,900. Let’s discover out which cities made the checklist.
#1: Decatur
Median house worth: $102,250Average sale worth per sq. foot: $75 Median family revenue: $45,404 Nearest main metro: Springfield (40 miles)Decatur, IL properties for saleDecatur, IL flats for lease
With a median house sale worth of $102,250, Decatur is available in at primary on our checklist of most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 70,500 residents dwelling on this mid-sized metropolis. In the event you’re contemplating shifting to this space make 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 house 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 flats for lease
Coming in because the second most reasonably priced metropolis to dwell in Illinois is Peoria. When dwelling on this metropolis of 113,100 folks, you may discover Laura Bradley Park and the Forest Park Nature Middle, try the riverfront and downtown Peoria, and go to museums just like the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
#3: Springfield
Median house 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 flats for lease
About 114,400 folks reside in Springfield, situated in central Illinois. The median house sale worth is $147,350 which is about $140K lower than the median house sale worth in Illinois. Be certain that to go to the Illinois State Capitol constructing and take a look at historic websites like Lincoln House Nationwide Historic Web site, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and Dana-Thomas Home State Historic Web site. You may as well spend the day at Lake Springfield in case you transfer to the third most reasonably priced metropolis.
#4: Rockford
Median house 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 flats for lease
With a median house sale worth of $165,000, Rockford is the fourth on our checklist of most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 146,100 residents dwelling on this mid-sized metropolis. In the event you’re contemplating shifting to this space make sure that to go to among 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 Middle.
#5: Bloomington
Median house 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 flats 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 think about shopping for a house this 12 months. There are many actions to do on this metropolis. You may 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 house 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 flats for lease
Sixth on our checklist is Waukegan, situated alongside Lake Michigan. House to about 87,600 residents, Waukegan is an superior reasonably priced lakefront metropolis to dwell in. For instance, you may 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.
#7: Champaign
Median house 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 flats for lease
Solely barely dearer than Waukegan is Champaign, the following metropolis on our checklist. With roughly 88,300 residents in Champaign, make 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 house worth: $245,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $173 Median family revenue: $69,352 Nearest main metro: Chicago (25 miles)Oak Garden, IL properties for saleOak Garden, IL flats for lease
Subsequent on our checklist of reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois is Oak Garden. With a inhabitants of near 58,400, Oak Garden is a superb space to dwell in that’s not practically as huge as the most important metropolitan cities in Illinois. It’s additionally conveniently situated simply southwest of Chicago. If you end up shifting to this metropolis make 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 house 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 flats for lease
Take into account including Regular to your checklist of cities to take a look at to in case you’re searching for an reasonably priced place to dwell in Illinois. With 52,700 folks dwelling on this reasonably priced city, you may try the Illinois State College campus, and go to among the historic spots and parks on the town.
#10: Joliet
Median house worth: $285,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $177 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,235 Median family revenue: $72,871 Nearest main metro: Chicago (48 miles)Joliet, IL properties for saleJoliet, IL flats for lease
The ultimate metropolis on our checklist of reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois is Joliet. House to about 150,400 residents, Joliet is a superb possibility to think about. A number of the points of interest in Joliet embody visiting the Joliet Space Historic Museum, stopping by the Rialto Sq. Theatre, and testing Historic Route 66.
Methodology: All cities should have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median house sale worth beneath the typical median house sale worth in Illinois. Median house sale worth and median sale worth per sq. foot from the Redfin Information Middle throughout April 2025. Common rental knowledge from Hire.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family revenue knowledge sourced from america Census Bureau.
