When you’re planning on transferring 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 practically 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. Almost ten million folks stay within the area, making it one of many largest metropolitan areas on the planet.
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 stay. 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 perfect? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the perfect locations to stay in Illinois, rating them on qualities equivalent 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 stay 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 Hire 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 dropping out on big-city comforts. Reasonably priced dwelling, sizable public transportation, low unemployment, and straightforward commuting assist make Bloomington the perfect place to stay in Illinois.
The town is often lumped along with Regular to the north, giving the realm the mixed nickname Blo-No.
Bloomington’s job market is a significant draw. Massive 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 financial 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 experience. The town additionally has standard 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 want cooking, the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a giant draw for produce and handmade items. Plus, native occasions just like the Competition of Bushes and McClean County Truthful present loads of probabilities 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:2,664,452Median Sale Value:$360,000Median Hire 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 US. Huge skyscrapers, waterfront vistas, centuries of historical past, and a tradition recognized internationally make the town a significant draw and immediately recognizable.
Even with its measurement, Chicago manages to be probably the most reasonably priced 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 houses inside attain for these making the realm’s $95,513 median revenue.
World-class public transportation, massive parks, wonderful training, avid sports activities scenes, and many extra make Chicago the second-best greatest place to stay 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 fancy racial historical past and a pronounced wealth hole that’s nonetheless felt in some components 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 realm, too, giving relocating residents extra choices.
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3. Champaign, IL
Inhabitants:89,189Median Sale Value:$229,000Median Hire 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 reasonably priced price of dwelling, a big selection of restaurant choices, and nice navigability make it top-of-the-line locations to stay 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 usually lumped collectively into one metropolis. Urbana is a bit smaller and spreads out into the countryside fairly shortly.
Certainly one of Champaign’s largest 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 shortly takes you to Chicago or St. Louis. That, plus little or no visitors, means getting round is a breeze. Make sure that to go to the general public library or Farmers’ Market when the climate is good.
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4. Evanston, IL
Inhabitants:75,070Median Sale Value:$434,000Median Hire 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 stay in Illinois. Anchored by the celebrated Northwestern College, the faculty 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 straightforward outside enjoyable.
Due to its many facilities and better than common month-to-month taxes and payments, dwelling in Evanston will price fairly a bit. Nevertheless, many assume it’s price it. Getting round is simple, the training 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 supply cozy espresso outlets and occasions.
Moreover, because of the CTA Purple Line and Metra’s Union Pacific North line, you may get pleasure from stress-free commutes into downtown Chicago.
Out of all of Chicago’s suburbs, many may count on Naperville or Aurora to make the listing. Nevertheless, they each have an absence of transportation choices – like airports and bus stations – and facilities, which impacted their rankings.
Evanston houses on the market | Evanston homes for lease | Evanston residences for lease
5. Regular, IL
Inhabitants:52,618Median Sale Value:$265,000Median Hire 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 identification 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 school city vibe. Occasions just like the Corn Competition and Illinois Shakespeare Competition give residents a lot to look ahead to yearly.
Regular is mostly extra suburban than Bloomington, however has a surprisingly robust financial system. Rivian has their main manufacturing plant on the town, which has added hundreds of jobs and simply obtained practically $1 billion from the town to broaden.
Head out of city and also you’ll run into miles of farmland in each course, some with U-Choose farms and small shops. On the town, you may 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 reasonably priced housing, making it top-of-the-line locations to stay in Illinois.
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6. Springfield, IL
Inhabitants:112,544Median Sale Value:$179,000Median Hire Value:$825Average Commute Time:17.7 minutesUnemployment Price:3.6%
To not be confused with one in all 67 different Springfields throughout the nation, Springfield, IL is the state capital and top-of-the-line locations to stay in Illinois. A low price 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 Dwelling Nationwide Historic Web site or discover the spectacular Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Downtown, you’ll discover traditional diners, regionally 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’s going to take a automotive to get across the space, although. For jobs, many individuals work within the authorities and healthcare, with tech alternatives arduous to seek out. When you’re extra into the outside, ensure that to go to Washington Park or one in all many golf programs on the town.
Springfield houses on the market | Springfield homes for lease | Springfield residences for lease
7. Peoria, IL
Inhabitants:110,460Median Sale Value:$148,000Median Hire Value:$935Average Commute Time:17.6 minutesUnemployment Price:5.9%
Peoria supplies an enormous variety of advantages in an reasonably priced 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 awesome job market in addition. 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 beautiful backdrop for walks, runs, or spending a day within the historic downtown. Make sure that 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 huge 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 Middle – a sizzling spot for occasions. High it off with a rising meals scene and neighborhood craft breweries, and also you’ve received a group with a stunning quantity of aptitude.
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8. Cicero, IL
Inhabitants:81,004Median Sale Value:$298,000Median Hire Value:$840Average Commute Time:29.7 minutesUnemployment Price:3.0%
The city of Cicero is a West-Chicago suburb that blends reasonably priced dwelling and pleasant group into an awesome place to stay. You’ll usually discover residents gathering at Cicero Neighborhood 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 stay in Illinois.
Getting round Cicero is simple on foot through the Pink Line and by automotive 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 just lately obtained $96 million to assist handle issues.
Residing in Cicero means you’re within the thick of the town, but in addition 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 situated 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 develop into your weekly staple.
Cicero houses on the market | Cicero homes for lease | Cicero residences for lease
9. Wheaton, IL
Inhabitants:52,938Median Sale Value:$489,000Median Hire 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 barely a brief drive away, too.
When winter hits, take your self to the perfect sled hill within the space at Northside Park. When 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 awesome 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. The 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 the town, and every thing you want with out the effort makes Wheaton top-of-the-line locations to stay in Illinois.
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10. Decatur, IL
Inhabitants:68,670Median Sale Value:$138,000Median Hire Value:$700Average Commute Time:17.4 minutesUnemployment Price:5.4%
Decatur, an agriculture and former steelworking mecca, is the tenth-best place to stay in Illinois. Very reasonably priced housing, quiet streets, and entry to nature make for a peaceable and fulfilling place to stay.
Locals love gathering round man-made Lake Decatur for fishing and boating, or at one in all many parks surrounding the lake, like Nelson Park and the Kaufman Lakeside Conservation Space. Plus, the town has been actively revitalizing neighborhoods, with blended success. Decatur is a small Midwestern metropolis, although, with farmland and just some distinctive eating places scattered all through the town.
Decatur’s inhabitants has been declining for many years, with a big fall within the 2010s resulting from financial struggles. Nevertheless, inhabitants losses have practically stopped, and the town nonetheless has a significant financial presence. Tate & Lyle, Caterpillar, and ADM are the most important companies on the town, providing hundreds of jobs. Necessary to notice: should you stay downwind of the ADM or Tate & Lyle factories, be ready for robust corn and soy-like smells, which could be disagreeable.
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Methodology
Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist house searchers make an knowledgeable determination when selecting the place to stay. To aim to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes into consideration a number of key components, together with entry to healthcare, open outside house, navigability, housing traits, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of fifty,000 or larger have been thought of 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.
