Best places to live in Illinois
Cities and suburbs in Illinois with 25,000+ people, scored against each other: affordability on a $75k salary after taxes and rent (35%), violent crime (30%), schools (20%) and job growth (15%).
| # | City | Score | Rent | Home | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glen Ellyn, IL | 79/100 | $1,433/mo | $544k | 9.6/10 |
| 2 | Edwardsville, IL | 76/100 | $1,306/mo | $300k | 9.2/10 |
| 3 | Mount Prospect, IL | 65/100 | $1,502/mo | $397k | 9.6/10 |
| 4 | Buffalo Grove, IL | 63/100 | $2,037/mo | $412k | 9.9/10 |
| 5 | Lockport, IL | 62/100 | $1,525/mo | $316k | 7.1/10 |
| 6 | Wheaton, IL | 61/100 | $1,799/mo | $456k | 9.4/10 |
| 7 | Arlington Heights, IL | 60/100 | $1,760/mo | $415k | 9.8/10 |
| 8 | Orland Park, IL | 56/100 | $1,440/mo | $367k | 9/10 |
| 9 | Mundelein, IL | 56/100 | $1,566/mo | $310k | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | Elmhurst, IL | 55/100 | $1,975/mo | $545k | 9.5/10 |
| 11 | Wilmette, IL | 55/100 | $1,978/mo | $811k | 9.9/10 |
| 12 | Naperville, IL | 54/100 | $1,885/mo | $540k | 9.8/10 |
| 13 | Highland Park, IL | 52/100 | $1,925/mo | $607k | 9.3/10 |
| 14 | Northbrook, IL | 51/100 | $2,463/mo | $652k | 9.7/10 |
| 15 | Belleville, IL | 50/100 | $1,019/mo | $141k | 5.7/10 |
| 16 | Park Ridge, IL | 50/100 | $1,537/mo | $551k | 9.5/10 |
| 17 | Downers Grove, IL | 49/100 | $1,656/mo | $450k | 9.3/10 |
| 18 | Vernon Hills, IL | 49/100 | $1,903/mo | $412k | 9.3/10 |
| 19 | Tinley Park, IL | 48/100 | $1,495/mo | $300k | 8.3/10 |
| 20 | Schaumburg, IL | 46/100 | $1,812/mo | $330k | 9.6/10 |
| 21 | Palatine, IL | 44/100 | $1,549/mo | $356k | 8.8/10 |
| 22 | Oak Park, IL | 41/100 | $1,593/mo | $466k | 9.6/10 |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | 37/100 | $1,440/mo | $334k | 2.4/10 |
| 24 | Springfield, IL | 36/100 | $975/mo | $162k | 2.9/10 |
| 25 | Lombard, IL | 36/100 | $1,948/mo | $336k | 8.9/10 |
Rent, income and home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: 2026 federal and state rates for a single filer.
Compare the top 4