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 transferring to Illinois. If Illinois sounds just like the state for you, then you may additionally be interested in what cities match into your price range. For instance, the median house sale value in Illinois is $285,900 as of April.
Don’t fear if that value doesn’t slot in your price range – we’ve bought choices that can assist you discover a house or condo that does. Redfin has rounded up a listing of 10 of essentially the most inexpensive locations to dwell in Illinois – they usually all have a median house sale value beneath $285,900. Let’s discover out which cities made the listing.
#1: Decatur
Median house value: $102,250Average sale value per sq. foot: $75 Median family earnings: $45,404 Nearest main metro: Springfield (40 miles)Decatur, IL houses for saleDecatur, IL flats for lease
With a median house sale value of $102,250, Decatur is available in at primary on our listing of most inexpensive locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 70,500 residents residing 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, take a look at Rock Springs Conservation Space, and stroll alongside the paths at Fairview Park.
#2: Peoria
Median house value: $133,500Average sale value per sq. foot: $86Average lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $924 Median family earnings: $51,736 Nearest main metro: Chicago (160 miles)Peoria, IL houses for salePeoria, IL flats for lease
Coming in because the second most inexpensive metropolis to dwell in Illinois is Peoria. When residing on this metropolis of 113,100 folks, you may discover Laura Bradley Park and the Forest Park Nature Heart, take a look at the riverfront and downtown Peoria, and go to museums just like the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
#3: Springfield
Median house value: $147,350Average sale value per sq. foot: $90Average lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,030Median family earnings: $54,164 Nearest main metro: St. Louis (96 miles)Springfield, IL houses for saleSpringfield, IL flats for lease
About 114,400 folks reside in Springfield, situated in central Illinois. The median house sale value is $147,350 which is about $140K lower than the median house sale value in Illinois. Be sure 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 too can spend the day at Lake Springfield in the event you transfer to the third most inexpensive metropolis.
#4: Rockford
Median house value: $165,000Average sale value per sq. foot: $98Average lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $987Median family earnings: $50,744Rockford, IL houses for saleRockford, IL flats for lease
With a median house sale value of $165,000, Rockford is the fourth on our listing of most inexpensive locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 146,100 residents residing on this mid-sized metropolis. When you’re contemplating transferring to this space be 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 an amazing 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 house value: $212,500Average sale value per sq. foot: $112Average lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,012Median family earnings: $66,861 Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)Bloomington, IL houses 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 good metropolis to think about shopping for a house this yr. There are many actions to do on this metropolis. You possibly can go to the museums and historic spots just like the McLean County Museum of Historical past and David Davis Mansion, take a look at Miller Park and the Miller Park Zoo, and golf at one of many programs, amongst many different native favorites.
#6: Waukegan
Median house value: $234,000Average sale value per sq. foot: $178 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,385Median family earnings: $66,077Nearest main metro: Chicago (45 miles)Waukegan, IL houses for saleWaukegan, IL flats for lease
Sixth on our listing is Waukegan, situated alongside Lake Michigan. Dwelling to about 87,600 residents, Waukegan is an superior inexpensive lakefront metropolis to dwell in. For instance, you may get pleasure from Waukegan Municipal Seashore the place you’ll discover the Waukegan Dunes and the Waukegan Harbor Gentle. Waukegan additionally has loads of landmarks just like the Genesee Theatre and inexperienced areas like Waukegan Savanna Forest Protect and the Illinois Seashore Nature Protect.
#7: Champaign
Median house value: $237,000Average sale value per sq. foot: $148 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,155 Median family earnings: $51,736 Nearest main metro: Springfield (86 miles)Champaign, IL houses for saleChampaign, IL flats 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 house value: $245,000Average sale value per sq. foot: $173 Median family earnings: $69,352 Nearest main metro: Chicago (25 miles)Oak Garden, IL houses for saleOak Garden, IL flats for lease
Subsequent on our listing of inexpensive locations to dwell in Illinois is Oak Garden. With a inhabitants of near 58,400, Oak Garden is a good space to dwell in that’s not practically as huge as the key 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 house value: $265,000Average sale value per sq. foot: $121 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,225Median family earnings: $51,736 Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)Regular, IL houses for saleNormal, IL flats for lease
Think about including Regular to your listing of cities to take a look at to in the event you’re in search of an inexpensive place to dwell in Illinois. With 52,700 folks residing on this inexpensive city, you may take a look at the Illinois State College campus, and go to among the historic spots and parks on the town.
#10: Joliet
Median house value: $285,500Average sale value per sq. foot: $177 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,235 Median family earnings: $72,871 Nearest main metro: Chicago (48 miles)Joliet, IL houses for saleJoliet, IL flats for lease
The ultimate metropolis on our listing of inexpensive locations to dwell in Illinois is Joliet. Dwelling to about 150,400 residents, Joliet is a good choice to think about. 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 house sale value beneath the common median house sale value in Illinois. Median house sale value and median sale value per sq. foot from the Redfin Information Heart throughout April 2025. Common rental information from Lease.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family earnings information sourced from the US Census Bureau.
