The 10 Best Places To Live In Illinois For 2024


The best places to live in Illinois for 2024 are Western Springs, Hinsdale, and Northbrook. Find out where your city or town ranks.

It’s easy to assume the best place to live in Illinois is Chicago.

But we don’t assume, we rely on the cold, hard data.

To find the best places to live in Illinois, we analyzed the most recent data from the Census, FBI, and Zillow using Saturday Night Science. We measured factors central to a high quality of life – home prices, a strong job market, and low crime to name a few.

Now grab a slice of deep-dish pizza and pop, and continue to dive deeper into the best places to live in Illinois.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary


What city is the best place to live in Illinois for 2024? The best place to live in Illinois is Western Springs.

Most every place on this list is a Northern suburb of Chicago.

While not everyone can afford to live in the top ten best Illinois cities — they come with a hefty Hinsdale price tag — there are other unique places in Illinois to call home.

And lucky for you, we have found them.

For more reading, check out:

The 10 Best Places To Live In Illinois For 2024

Best Places To Live In Illinois Map

Western Springs, IL

Source: Wikipedia User MrHarman | GFDL
Stat Western Springs Illinois
Population 13,557 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $700,654 $252,041
Median Income $198,836 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 2.5% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0036 0.0196

More on Western Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Located between Chicago and Naperville, Western Springs is the best place to live in Illinois. Western Springs’ poverty level of 2.6% and unemployment rate of 2.5% are among the most impressive in the state. It’s not like people are just floating by here either, because at $198,836/year, Western Springs enjoys the 9th highest median household income statewide. And if you enjoy a side of culture with your cash, the Theatre of Western Springs is always putting on shows and plays.

Western Springs is also known for its excellent schools and safe streets. In fact, there were only 0 violent crimes committed in Western Springs in 2024, which gives Western Springs the 4th lowest rate in Illinois. Even though violence is quite unlikely, Western Springs residents are prepared if it does come. That’s because 98.6% of folks in Western Springs have health insurance, which is the 17th highest rate in Illinois.

Hinsdale, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Teemu08 at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Hinsdale Illinois
Population 17,169 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 2
Median Home Value $1,010,524 $252,041
Median Income $250,001 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 2.6% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0017 0.0196

More on Hinsdale: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

We’re sticking around western Chi-Town suburbs for our 2nd best place to call home in Illinois, the village of Hinsdale. People in Hinsdale know the importance of education, from start to finish. All the elementary schools in Hinsdale received a score of 9/10 from GreatSchools, and both the local middle school and high school got a perfect 10/10. That educational excellence is just one of the reasons we named Hinsdale as the best family city in Illinois. Seeing as over 40% of Hinsdale’s population has a master’s degree or higher, we think the success of early education carries over nicely into success later in life.

After all, Hinsdale does have the 2nd highest median household income in the state, $250,001/year. Which comes in handy when you’ve also got the 3rd priciest homes. And since smart, moneyed individuals rarely feel the need to engage in criminal activity, Hinsdale’s crime rate being about 80% below the national average makes a lot of sense.

If you’re craving a bit more action, though, Chicago’s downtown is just 20-minute train ride away, so you can be walking The Magnificent Mile any time you like.

Northbrook, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Michael Miller | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Northbrook Illinois
Population 34,950 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 5
Median Home Value $573,899 $252,041
Median Income $150,236 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 3.2% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0022 0.0196

More on Northbrook: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Another Chicago suburb finds itself on our list of the best places in the Prairie State. This time it’s Northbrook, a city of 34,950 25 miles north of Chicago. The city is known for the Northbrook Park District, Northbrook Court shopping mall, and the infamous Chicago Curling Club. For you family folks, there’s also the Northbrook Public Library which is a nice activity for the kids.

Economically, Northbrook is thriving. The unemployment rate is a low 3.2%, less than 10% of residents live below the poverty line, folks are earning 150,236 a year and the median home value is $573,899.

What’s not to love? Well, if you’re in your early 20s, there might not be enough going on here to peak your interest because the median age is over 50, but if you’re looking for a great place to start a family, Northbrook would be the perfect fit.

Deerfield, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Shsilver at English Wikipedia | CC BY 3.0 us
Stat Deerfield Illinois
Population 19,173 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 10
Median Home Value $520,189 $252,041
Median Income $185,762 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 2.4% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0098 0.0196

More on Deerfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

We start our tour of the best places to call home in Illinois with Deerfield, a North Shore suburb of Chicago. Deerfield ranks as the 27th least violent place in the state and has a total crime rate about 70% below the national average.

Deerfield’s economy is largely driven by the healthcare industry, as it is home to the headquarters of big name companies like Walgreens, Baxter, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. If you’re working in one of those fields, you should have no trouble locking down a job here. And based on Deerfield’s rank as the 12th best-paid populace in the state, with a median household income of $185,762/year, we think you should do pretty well for yourself at that job. And with a sub-3% unemployment rate and poverty level, Deerfield’s economy is working at every level. For a village where healthcare looms large, it’s not surprising that 98.9% of residents have health insurance, one of the highest rates in Illinois.

If you’re planning on moving with your family, or starting a family soon, know that Deerfield’s school district is among the best in the state, with GreatSchools awarding a 9/10 score or higher to every single public school in the area. Speaking of education, the local Historic Village is a staple of the Deerfield school experience that’s fun for the whole family. But if you’re looking for something a tad bit more modern, “The Square” in Deerfield’s downtown has everything you need to keep your shopaholism satisfied.

Lake Bluff, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Teemu08 (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Lake Bluff Illinois
Population 5,919 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 8
Median Home Value $531,837 $252,041
Median Income $190,179 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 2.3% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0012 0.0196

More on Lake Bluff: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Lake Bluff is a village of 5,919 on the North Shore of Lake Michigan. At 45, Lake Bluff is the oldest place on this list, so keep that in mind if the relative age of your neighbors is a priority for you. Around 80% of adults in Lake Bluff have a college degree, and about half of those people have a master’s degree or higher. Which helps explain why, at 2.0%, Lake Bluff has the 10th lowest poverty level in Illinois. It’s also one of the reasons why Lake Bluff has the 11th highest median household income in the state, at $190,179/year.

Lake Bluff also only experienced 2 violent crimes in 2024, the 22nd lowest rate in Illinois. So you don’t have to worry about pickpockets or hooligans when you go to catch a show on the village green for the Bluffina Summer Concert Series.

Libertyville, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stat Libertyville Illinois
Population 20,555 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $523,474 $252,041
Median Income $161,302 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 3.2% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0023 0.0196

More on Libertyville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Next on our tour of the best places to live in Illinois is Libertyville. Libertyville is a city of 20,555 about 40 miles north of Chicago near the Wisconsin border. Why is Libertyville such a good place to live? Well it’s safe and clean, and that’s not something you can say about a lot of the greater Chicago area. People living here say it’s a walker’s paradise – with all the restaurants and shops that are easy to get to and enjoy.

As you would expect, the overall cost of living is high, but not that high for being so close Chicago. Homes in Libertyville are listed for about $523,474 each. And when you consider this place is so close to Chicago and that most families here bring in about 161,302, this is actually kind of a good deal.

Plus, it’s a great place to raise a family. Over 30% of adults have a master’s degree or higher and the local schools have the 12th lowest high school dropout rate. On top of that, there’s Adler Memorial Park and Butler Lake Park to take the kids on the weekend.

Winfield, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Kingkevy | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Winfield Illinois
Population 9,947 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 26
Median Home Value $401,970 $252,041
Median Income $136,696 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 4.5% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0033 0.0196

More on Winfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Take the win and move to Winfield, the 7th best place to live in Illinois.

Winfield, a village in DuPage County, offers residents an easy 28 minute commute to Chicago. The 136,696 median income indicates economic prosperity, as do home values of $401,970.

Education is valued highly, as evidenced by the notable 62 percentage of adults with an advanced degree. Winfield’s low crime rates, historical sites like the Hedges Station museums, and plenty of parks make it an ideal place to live.

Lincolnshire, IL

Source: Public domain
Stat Lincolnshire Illinois
Population 7,907 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 4
Median Home Value $626,704 $252,041
Median Income $155,395 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 2.3% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0076 0.0196

More on Lincolnshire: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Lincolnshire is a 7,907 town located about 30 miles north of Chicago. One of the smallest places on this list, Lincolnshire punches above its weight in quality of life. The small town life includes the Marriott Theatre, mini-golf for the kids and real golf for the adults, and Spring Lake Park for the whole family. It’s the kind of great place to raise a family near the city without having to be in the city.

In terms of the numbers, Adlai E Stevenson High School earns a perfect 10/10 on GreatSchools. There’s a very low poverty rate, the cost of living isn’t crazy high, and incomes average about 155,395. Put it all together and you have a great place to live in Illinois.

Riverside, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Nmaviano | GFDL
Stat Riverside Illinois
Population 9,225 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 21
Median Home Value $476,379 $252,041
Median Income $149,464 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 3.1% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0033 0.0196

More on Riverside: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Riverside, a pioneering planned suburb about 12 miles from Chicago, is known for its Riverside Landscape Architecture District, a National Historic Landmark designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

With a population of 9,225, this suburb in Cook County showcases diverse architectural treasures that draw design and history aficionados. Its affluence is evidenced by the impressive $476,379 median home value and high 149,464 median income. Low crime rates, with 0.0015 and 0.0017 violent and property crime rates per capita, ensure resident safety.

Park Ridge, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Brett Clark, APR | CC BY-SA 4.0
Stat Park Ridge Illinois
Population 39,368 12,757,634
Rank Last Year 9
Median Home Value $491,808 $252,041
Median Income $137,964 $78,433
Unemployment Rate 3.5% 6.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0024 0.0196

More on Park Ridge: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Located 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Park Ridge ranks as the 10th best place to call home in Illinois.

For starters, you never have to worry about how you’ll get to the airport in Park Ridge, because O’Hare International Airport is basically right there. Park Ridge also has several top-notch amenities, from the trails at the Wildwood Nature Center, to the historic Pickwick Theatre, and a ton of spas per capita.

As for the data, everything points to Park Ridge being an excellent forever home. Crime is low, schools are great, and the local economy works for everyone — we don’t hand out 10/10 SnackAbility scores for nothing, after all.

The median household income in Park Ridge sits at an impressive $137,964, and homes typically sell for $491,808. It’s also one of the most densely populated spots on this list, which translates into more amenities and less boredom.

Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Illinois

Best Places To Live In Illinois Size Requirement

Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Illinois, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Springfield, with a population of 114,214, against places with a population of 18?

We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.

So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:

  • Cities — Populations over 5,000
  • Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
  • Small Towns — Populations below 1,000

This filter left 323 cities, 376 towns, and 620 small towns.

We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Illinois have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Illinois

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in Illinois across a number of criteria from one to 323, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Illinois.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

  • Median Home Values
  • Median Income
  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Unemployment Rate
  • Commute Time
  • Crime
  • Education Levels
  • Health Insurance Coverage
  • Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking Illinois’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Illinois. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Western Springs at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Summary: The Best Places In Illinois

If you’re looking at areas in Illinois with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The best places to live in Illinois are Western Springs, Hinsdale, Northbrook, Deerfield, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Winfield, Lincolnshire, Riverside, and Park Ridge.

Western Springs made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Illinois for 2024.

If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Illinois according to the data:

  1. Riverdale (Pop. 10,528)
  2. Markham (Pop. 11,592)
  3. Harvey (Pop. 20,035)

For more Illinois reading, check out:

Best Places To Live In Illinois Table

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income Rent Crime Per Capita
1 Western Springs 13,557 2.5% $700,654 $198,836 $1,871 0.0036
2 Hinsdale 17,169 2.6% $1,010,524 $250,001 $1,875 0.0017
3 Northbrook 34,950 3.2% $573,899 $150,236 $1,998 0.0022
4 Deerfield 19,173 2.4% $520,189 $185,762 $2,225 0.0098
5 Lake Bluff 5,919 2.3% $531,837 $190,179 $1,845 0.0012
6 Libertyville 20,555 3.2% $523,474 $161,302 $1,453 0.0023
7 Winfield 9,947 4.5% $401,970 $136,696 $1,424 0.0033
8 Lincolnshire 7,907 2.3% $626,704 $155,395 $2,799 0.0076
9 Riverside 9,225 3.1% $476,379 $149,464 $1,432 0.0033
10 Park Ridge 39,368 3.5% $491,808 $137,964 $1,487 0.0024
11 Wheaton 53,673 3.5% $431,270 $113,523 $1,673 0.0023
12 La Grange 16,128 2.0% $522,753 $141,235 $1,640 0.0077
13 Inverness 7,722 2.3% $700,604 $207,623 $0 0.0027
14 La Grange Park 13,332 3.8% $412,033 $113,419 $1,398 0.0077
15 Winnetka 12,607 3.7% $1,450,397 $250,001 $1,650 0.0081
16 Geneva 21,390 2.0% $465,349 $132,799 $1,704 0.0071
17 Elburn 5,958 0.4% $400,516 $106,347 $1,546 0.0044
18 Northfield 5,707 1.5% $689,829 $146,538 $2,427 0.0117
19 Clarendon Hills 8,658 2.8% $561,818 $115,923 $1,126 0.0015
20 Elmhurst 45,648 5.0% $500,450 $143,492 $1,843 0.0029
21 Glencoe 8,787 3.9% $1,230,212 $228,750 $1,705 0.0084
22 Wilmette 27,801 4.3% $792,941 $183,750 $1,918 0.0126
23 Bartlett 40,829 2.2% $383,920 $126,555 $1,918 0.0008
24 Buffalo Grove 42,934 3.3% $378,470 $127,553 $1,988 0.0064
25 Gilberts 8,180 1.3% $358,792 $120,568 $1,918 0.0034
26 Highland Park 30,209 3.4% $633,282 $159,567 $1,904 0.0123
27 Hawthorn Woods 9,111 3.5% $632,847 $215,817 $0 0.0003
28 Cary 17,880 5.0% $322,042 $107,158 $1,299 0.0008
29 Naperville 149,089 4.5% $527,805 $143,754 $1,787 0.0087
30 Glen Ellyn 28,304 5.1% $483,880 $128,132 $1,223 0.0020
31 Mahomet 9,545 1.0% $301,578 $114,083 $1,238 0.0073
32 Itasca 9,627 3.0% $380,589 $113,162 $1,677 0.0020
33 Lake Forest 19,436 3.1% $997,291 $202,153 $1,948 0.0068
34 Lemont 17,558 3.9% $491,388 $128,694 $1,276 0.0052
35 Lake Zurich 19,749 3.5% $420,351 $135,211 $1,693 0.0132
36 Mokena 19,886 3.4% $406,985 $122,235 $1,360 0.0083
37 Downers Grove 49,996 4.1% $424,001 $115,461 $1,535 0.0026
38 Palos Heights 11,965 3.6% $354,730 $105,366 $1,696 0.0090
39 Burr Ridge 11,131 3.4% $724,731 $174,342 $2,371 0.0029
40 New Lenox 27,242 2.8% $397,624 $129,797 $1,207 0.0098
41 South Barrington 5,001 1.8% $957,504 $226,042 $0 0.0176
42 Barrington 11,244 3.9% $536,565 $160,171 $1,726 0.0056
43 Westchester 16,694 5.4% $316,020 $101,414 $1,680 0.0036
44 Darien 21,953 4.1% $391,312 $110,546 $1,719 0.0019
45 Chatham 14,437 3.2% $257,941 $104,000 $1,133 0.0078
46 Campton Hills 10,556 5.9% $570,534 $192,432 $3,406 0.0001
47 River Forest 11,568 5.6% $625,449 $144,784 $1,347 0.0152
48 Arlington Heights 76,794 3.5% $403,495 $113,502 $1,660 0.0112
49 Lombard 44,055 4.4% $328,254 $95,509 $1,741 0.0025
50 Batavia 26,355 3.7% $394,060 $113,824 $1,240 0.0115
51 Frankfort 20,260 3.8% $439,784 $157,615 $2,265 0.0076
52 Columbia 11,036 0.6% $297,638 $106,603 $1,047 0.0063
53 Lisle 23,499 5.1% $368,104 $106,265 $1,485 0.0057
54 Bloomingdale 22,435 3.9% $375,771 $96,779 $1,580 0.0022
55 Shorewood 18,109 4.9% $361,403 $119,904 $1,970 0.0072
56 Pingree Grove 10,213 3.5% $332,287 $106,597 $1,698 0.0023
57 Manhattan 9,590 2.0% $351,681 $123,307 $982 0.0040
58 Glenview 47,896 3.7% $556,329 $134,910 $1,950 0.0141
59 Oswego 34,810 2.9% $366,702 $112,109 $1,778 0.0063
60 Willow Springs 5,862 4.7% $336,794 $100,775 $1,345 0.0041
61 Orland Park 58,345 4.5% $367,054 $97,365 $1,396 0.0010
62 Vernon Hills 26,750 3.7% $378,263 $117,253 $1,873 0.0137
63 Troy 10,920 3.0% $284,832 $93,850 $991 0.0062
64 Plainfield 44,941 3.7% $363,320 $143,064 $1,847 0.0077
65 Lake in the Hills 28,958 5.6% $326,092 $110,988 $1,579 0.0035
66 Wauconda 14,040 2.1% $292,235 $108,229 $1,254 0.0024
67 Long Grove 8,279 2.9% $799,502 $236,172 $3,501 0.0272
68 Lindenhurst 14,403 6.7% $300,487 $124,690 $1,771 0.0038
69 Roscoe 11,134 2.7% $259,315 $98,750 $1,249 0.0058
70 Lincolnwood 13,268 7.5% $473,704 $99,390 $3,272 0.0036
71 Willowbrook 9,177 3.9% $294,149 $95,649 $1,709 0.0052
72 Westmont 24,271 3.4% $347,110 $82,519 $1,359 0.0038
73 Roselle 22,846 7.3% $331,035 $104,167 $1,470 0.0019
74 Gurnee 30,629 4.1% $331,348 $112,633 $1,535 0.0262
75 Washington 15,988 1.6% $192,898 $87,104 $1,088 0.0098
76 O’Fallon 32,104 3.6% $284,724 $102,560 $1,264 0.0128
77 Orland Hills 6,842 4.9% $292,934 $92,830 $1,367 0.0032
78 Monticello 6,337 1.7% $237,875 $78,295 $995 0.0032
79 Carol Stream 39,656 4.6% $330,804 $103,525 $1,398 0.0023
80 Crystal Lake 40,463 4.9% $325,708 $103,018 $1,353 0.0019
81 Hampshire 8,113 2.0% $351,414 $104,746 $1,744 0.0032
82 Algonquin 29,888 4.7% $353,976 $129,658 $1,805 0.0103
83 Spring Grove 5,694 8.9% $357,347 $137,891 $0 0.0004
84 Oak Brook 8,065 10.4% $823,438 $158,663 $3,501 0.0083
85 Homer Glen 24,507 5.0% $460,898 $130,235 $1,496 0.0042
86 St. Charles 32,776 3.9% $402,795 $110,346 $1,678 0.0134
87 Huntley 27,652 3.3% $372,410 $83,357 $1,346 0.0069
88 Rockton 8,241 4.2% $248,608 $111,065 $800 0.0113
89 Mount Zion 6,255 4.0% $172,130 $99,798 $754 0.0082
90 Lockport 26,119 4.6% $315,083 $106,923 $1,541 0.0065
91 Mount Prospect 56,191 3.5% $372,693 $100,526 $1,368 0.0099
92 South Elgin 23,841 3.4% $318,828 $118,293 $1,637 0.0061
93 Woodridge 34,027 3.9% $356,860 $95,756 $1,460 0.0028
94 Shiloh 13,892 1.9% $275,510 $94,539 $1,119 0.0105
95 West Dundee 7,845 4.3% $366,743 $99,653 $1,584 0.0092
96 Warrenville 13,945 3.5% $307,146 $95,919 $1,614 0.0025
97 Maryville 8,219 6.3% $298,020 $96,373 $944 0.0058
98 Sugar Grove 9,251 3.8% $393,885 $118,628 $1,545 0.0127
99 Yorkville 21,273 4.2% $357,096 $105,322 $1,449 0.0060
100 Highland 10,215 2.4% $231,849 $75,779 $796 0.0078

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.