Illinois moving guide

Where should I move in Illinois?

We ranked 120 Illinois cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Bloomington

   Home $198,800 · Rent $1,004 · Income $75,449 · Unemployment 2.6%
   81/100
2. 2

   Plainfield

   Home $398,000 · Rent $1,889 · Income $142,265 · Unemployment 3.7%
   81/100
3. 3

   South Elgin

   Home $296,100 · Rent $1,619 · Income $123,744 · Unemployment 2.7%
   80/100
4. 4

   Oswego

   Home $319,000 · Rent $1,823 · Income $119,881 · Unemployment 2.7%
   79/100
5. 5

   Buffalo Grove

   Home $392,900 · Rent $2,042 · Income $129,820 · Unemployment 2.5%
   78/100
6. 6

   Batavia

   Home $358,000 · Rent $1,255 · Income $119,167 · Unemployment 3.5%
   76/100
7. 7

   Frankfort

   Home $461,600 · Rent $2,175 · Income $153,714 · Unemployment 3.6%
   76/100
8. 8

   Libertyville

   Home $499,300 · Rent $1,537 · Income $162,270 · Unemployment 2.9%
   76/100
9. 9

   Mundelein

   Home $285,600 · Rent $1,564 · Income $107,608 · Unemployment 3.1%
   76/100
10. 10

    New Lenox

    Home $377,500 · Rent $1,244 · Income $133,071 · Unemployment 2.9%
    76/100
11. 11

    O'Fallon

    Home $274,100 · Rent $1,312 · Income $102,793 · Unemployment 3.3%
    76/100
12. 12

    Yorkville

    Home $314,200 · Rent $1,619 · Income $108,775 · Unemployment 3.8%
    76/100
13. 13

    Geneva

    Home $415,800 · Rent $1,805 · Income $136,621 · Unemployment 1.7%
    75/100
14. 14

    Bartlett

    Home $350,500 · Rent $1,857 · Income $130,479 · Unemployment 2.0%
    74/100
15. 15

    Highland Park

    Home $594,400 · Rent $1,903 · Income $161,875 · Unemployment 3.3%
    72/100

Statewide, Illinois recorded 1,814 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #24 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in Illinois to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.