When you’re planning on transferring 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 long-lasting prairies, rivers, and bluffs of the midwest. Almost ten million individuals reside within the area, making it one of many largest metropolitan areas on the earth.
Exterior 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 one of the best? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered one of the best locations to reside in Illinois, rating them on qualities reminiscent of affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. Yow will discover extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
1. Bloomington, IL
Inhabitants:
78,587
Median Sale Worth:
$196,500
Median Lease Worth:
$1,350
Common Commute Time:
16.3 minutes
Unemployment 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 dropping out on big-city comforts. Reasonably priced dwelling, sizable public transportation, low unemployment, and simple commuting assist make Bloomington one of the best 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 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 in every single place, too. With scenic paths just like the Structure Path, it’s straightforward to get exterior for a stroll, jog, or bike experience. Town additionally has common 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 energetic 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 choose cooking, the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a giant draw for produce and handmade items. Plus, native occasions just like the Pageant of Timber and McClean County Honest present loads of possibilities to satisfy neighbors and expertise the state’s famously variable climate. When you’re hungering for a weekend within the metropolis, it’s only a quick prepare experience to Chicago.
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2. Chicago, IL
Inhabitants:
2,664,452
Median Sale Worth:
$360,000
Median Lease Worth:
$1,796
Common Commute Time:
34.7 minutes
Unemployment Price:
5.4%
When most individuals consider Illinois, they consider Chicago – one of many largest and most iconic cities in the US. Large skyscrapers, waterfront vistas, centuries of historical past, and a tradition identified 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 fluctuate 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, massive parks, wonderful schooling, avid sports activities scenes, and lots extra make Chicago the second-best greatest place to reside within the U.S. You possibly can’t overlook about its local weather, both; whereas more and more unpredictable, many individuals love the chilly winters, sizzling 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.
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3. Champaign, IL
Inhabitants:
89,189
Median Sale Worth:
$232,000
Median Lease Worth:
$1,290
Common Commute Time:
15.2 minutes
Unemployment Price:
3.0%
About two hours south of Chicago lies Champaign, a small metropolis identified for its universities and miles of farmland. An inexpensive value of dwelling, a big selection of restaurant choices, and nice navigability make it top-of-the-line locations to reside in Illinois.
Champaign is a traditional faculty 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.
Considered one of Champaign’s greatest 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 visitors, means getting round is a breeze. Make certain to go to the general public library or Farmers’ Market when the climate is good.
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4. Evanston, IL
Inhabitants:
75,070
Median Sale Worth:
$436,000
Median Lease Worth:
$2,284
Common Commute Time:
30.6 minutes
Unemployment 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 celebrated Northwestern College, the school metropolis buzzes with mental vitality, occasions, and top-tier collegiate sports activities. Its downtown space is historic, filled with small enterprise, and energetic, whereas parks and trails make for simple outside enjoyable.
Due to its many facilities and better than common month-to-month taxes and payments, dwelling in Evanston will value fairly a bit. Nevertheless, many suppose it’s value it. Getting round is simple, the schooling 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 convey farmers markets and neighborhood festivals, whereas the colder months provide 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 anticipate 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.
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5. Regular, IL
Inhabitants:
52,618
Median Sale Worth:
$248,000
Median Lease Worth:
$888
Common Commute Time:
16.7 minutes
Unemployment Price:
2.4%
Regular shares a border with its twin metropolis, Bloomington, but it carves out its personal identification 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 robust economic system. Rivian has their major manufacturing plant on the town, which has added hundreds of jobs and simply acquired almost $1 billion from town to broaden.
Head out of city and also you’ll run into miles of farmland in each path, some with U-Decide farms and small shops. On the town, you might have parks like Fairview Park and Maxwell Park, which have golf programs and athletic fields. Briefly, Regular is a small city with big-city facilities and inexpensive housing, making it top-of-the-line locations to reside in Illinois.
Regular properties on the market | Regular homes for hire | Regular residences for hire
6. Springfield, IL
Inhabitants:
112,544
Median Sale Worth:
$138,750
Median Lease Worth:
$1,100
Common Commute Time:
17.9 minutes
Unemployment Price:
3.6%
To not be confused with considered one of 67 different Springfields throughout the nation, Springfield, IL is the state capital and top-of-the-line locations to reside in Illinois. A low value of dwelling, loads of industrial grit, and native jobs alternatives make Springfield top-of-the-line cities in Illinois.
Don’t fear – Lincoln’s legacy is widely known all through city. You possibly can immerse your self in historical past on the Lincoln House Nationwide Historic Web site 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 straightforward to interact with locals.
It would take a automobile to get across the space, although. For jobs, many individuals work within the authorities and healthcare, with tech alternatives onerous to seek out. When you’re extra into the outside, be sure that to go to Washington Park or considered one of many golf programs on the town.
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7. Peoria, IL
Inhabitants:
110,460
Median Sale Worth:
$132,250
Median Lease Worth:
$1,115
Common Commute Time:
17.3 minutes
Unemployment Price:
5.9%
Peoria offers 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 excellent 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 way of the middle of city and supply a stunning backdrop for walks, runs, or spending a day within the historic downtown. Make certain 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 large 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 sizzling spot for occasions. High it off with a rising meals scene and neighborhood craft breweries, and also you’ve acquired a neighborhood with a shocking quantity of aptitude.
Peoria properties on the market | Peoria homes for hire | Peoria residences for hire
8. Cicero, IL
Inhabitants:
81,004
Median Sale Worth:
$322,000
Median Lease Worth:
$1,295
Common Commute Time:
30.4 minutes
Unemployment Price:
3.0%
The city of Cicero is a West-Chicago suburb that blends inexpensive dwelling and pleasant neighborhood into an excellent place to reside. You’ll typically 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 just lately acquired $96 million to assist handle issues.
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. When you don’t wish 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 hire | Cicero residences for hire
9. Wheaton, IL
Inhabitants:
52,938
Median Sale Worth:
$388,500
Median Lease Worth:
$2,282
Common Commute Time:
27.5 minutes
Unemployment Price:
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 Prepare. 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 one of the best sled hill within the space at Northside Park. When you’re up for a day exterior, 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 excellent 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. Briefly, pure magnificence, entry to town, and all the things you want with out the trouble makes Wheaton top-of-the-line locations to reside in Illinois.
Wheaton properties on the market | Wheaton homes for hire | Wheaton residences for hire
10. Decatur, IL
Inhabitants:
68,670
Median Sale Worth:
$110,500
Median Lease Worth:
$920
Common Commute Time:
17.1 minutes
Unemployment 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 gratifying 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 as a consequence of financial struggles. Nevertheless, 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. Necessary to notice: in case you reside downwind of the ADM or Tate & Lyle factories, be ready for robust corn and soy-like smells, which might be disagreeable.
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Methodology
Redfin’s Finest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist dwelling 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 outside 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 checklist. Extra details about our methodology might be discovered right here.
Information legitimate February 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
