The Best Places to Live in Illinois in 2025

If you’re planning on moving to Illinois, add these cities to your list.

Rooted in agriculture and built high into the sky, Illinois is America’s heartland. Agriculture and industry define the state, with rich locomotive and farming legacies. Illinois is the fifth-largest agricultural state in the country, with corn, soybeans, and swine the top commodities. 

Along the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago rises high into the sky, showcasing its nearly two centuries of art, culture, and history. Its suburbs stretch for 50+ miles outwards from the lake into the “collar counties” bordering Wisconsin and Indiana and deep into the iconic prairies, rivers, and bluffs of the midwest. Nearly ten million people live in the region, making it one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. 

Outside of Chicago (“downstate”), Illinois shows off its rural side. Farmland rolls as far as the eye can see, broken up by small towns and hills. Affordable land, quiet communities, and natural beauty make this an appealing place to live. Furthest to the south are the Shawnee Hills and the famous “American Bottom” – the influential floodplain of the Mississippi River. 

Every region of Illinois has character and unique cities. But, which cities are the best? In this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the best places to live in Illinois, ranking them on qualities such as affordability, navigability, and number of amenities. You can find more information about our methodology here or at the bottom of the article.

1. Bloomington, IL

Bloomington sits in the heart of the Corn Belt in Central Illinois, giving it a peaceful, small-town vibe without losing out on big-city comforts. Affordable living, sizable public transportation, low unemployment, and easy commuting help make Bloomington the best place to live in Illinois. 

The city is usually lumped together with Normal to the north, giving the area the combined nickname Blo-No. 

Bloomington’s job market is a major draw. Large employers like State Farm and Country Financial have headquarters in town, which, alongside manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture, make up a majority of its growing economy. 

Amenities are everywhere, too. With scenic paths like the Constitution Trail, it’s easy to get outside for a walk, jog, or bike ride. The city also has popular stops like Miller Park Zoo and the McLean County Museum of History, great for a weekend adventure. Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University keep the scene lively with sports, concerts, and theater.

Food options don’t disappoint, either. Tony’s Diner and Tobin’s Pizza are great options. For those who prefer cooking, the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a big draw for produce and handmade goods. Plus, local events like the Festival of Trees and McClean County Fair provide plenty of chances to meet neighbors and experience the state’s famously variable weather. If you’re hungering for a weekend in the city, it’s just a short train ride to Chicago. 

Bloomington homes for sale | Bloomington houses for rent | Bloomington apartments for rent

Deciding between renting or buying your next home? Explore your options.

Compare the costs of renting vs buying and find a lender to secure your mortgage.

Deciding between renting or buying your next home?

Compare the costs of renting vs buying and find a lender to secure your mortgage.

2. Chicago, IL

When most people think of Illinois, they think of Chicago – one of the largest and most iconic cities in the United States. Massive skyscrapers, waterfront vistas, centuries of history, and a culture known across the world make the city a major draw and instantly recognizable. 

Even with its size, Chicago manages to be one of the most affordable cities in the U.S. Prices vary across many of its neighborhoods – places like Gold Coast and Lincoln Park are expensive – but many areas in the city have homes within reach for those making the area’s $95,513 median income. 

World-class public transportation, large parks, excellent education, avid sports scenes, and plenty more make Chicago the second-best best place to live in the U.S. You can’t forget about its climate, either; while increasingly unpredictable, many people love the cold winters, hot summers, and gorgeous springs and falls. 

Of course, the Windy City isn’t without its challenges – it has a complex racial history and a pronounced wealth gap that’s still felt in some parts of town. But many choose the Windy City for its job market, internationally recognized food scene, and lineup of festivals and events year-round. A growing number of businesses are choosing to move to the area, too, giving relocating residents more options.

Chicago homes for sale | Chicago houses for rent | Chicago apartments for rent

3. Champaign, IL

About two hours south of Chicago lies Champaign, a small city known for its universities and miles of farmland. An affordable cost of living, a wide array of restaurant options, and great navigability make it one of the best places to live in Illinois. 

Champaign is a classic college town, with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign providing activities, jobs, and plenty of amenities. The town of Urbana sits just to the southeast of Champaign, so they are often lumped together into one city. Urbana is a bit smaller and spreads out into the countryside pretty quickly. 

One of Champaign’s biggest draws is its public transportation. The bus system is supported by both the university and city – meaning it punches far above its weight – and Amtrak quickly takes you to Chicago or St. Louis. That, plus very little traffic, means getting around is a breeze. Make sure to visit the public library or Farmers’ Market when the weather is nice. 

Champaign homes for sale | Champaign houses for rent | Champaign apartments for rent

4. Evanston, IL

Evanston, a north Chicago suburb along the shores of Lake Michigan, is the fourth-best place to live in Illinois. Anchored by the prestigious Northwestern University, the college city buzzes with intellectual energy, events, and top-tier collegiate sports. Its downtown area is historic, full of small business, and lively, while parks and trails make for easy outdoor fun. 

Because of its many amenities and higher than average monthly taxes and bills, living in Evanston will cost quite a bit. However, many think it’s worth it. Getting around is easy, the education quality is high, and you won’t tire of the dozens of restaurants and shops in the heart of town. Summers bring farmers markets and neighborhood festivals, while the colder months offer cozy coffee shops and events.

Additionally, thanks to the CTA Purple Line and Metra’s Union Pacific North line, you can enjoy stress-free commutes into downtown Chicago. 

Out of all of Chicago’s suburbs, many might expect Naperville or Aurora to make the list. However, they both have a lack of transportation options – like airports and bus stations – and amenities, which impacted their rankings. 

Evanston homes for sale | Evanston houses for rent | Evanston apartments for rent

5. Normal, IL

Normal shares a border with its twin city, Bloomington, yet it carves out its own identity with a college-town vibe and plenty of job opportunities. Illinois State University and Heartland Community College are the social anchors of town, giving it a college town vibe. Events like the Corn Festival and Illinois Shakespeare Festival give residents plenty to look forward to every year. 

Normal is generally more suburban than Bloomington, but has a surprisingly strong economy. Rivian has their primary manufacturing plant in town, which has added thousands of jobs and just received nearly $1 billion from the city to expand. 

Head out of town and you’ll run into miles of farmland in every direction, some with U-Pick farms and small stores. In town, you have parks like Fairview Park and Maxwell Park, which have golf courses and athletic fields. In short, Normal is a small town with big-city amenities and affordable housing, making it one of the best places to live in Illinois. 

Normal homes for sale | Normal houses for rent | Normal apartments for rent

 6. Springfield, IL

Not to be confused with one of 67 other Springfields across the country, Springfield, IL is the state capital and one of the best places to live in Illinois. A low cost of living, plenty of industrial grit, and local jobs opportunities make Springfield one of the best cities in Illinois. 

Don’t worry – Lincoln’s legacy is celebrated throughout town. You can immerse yourself in history at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site or explore the impressive Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Downtown, you’ll find classic diners, locally owned shops, and a steady stream of cultural events – like the Old Capitol Art Fair and Old Capitol Farmers Market – making it easy to engage with locals. 

It will take a car to get around the area, though. For jobs, many people work in the government and healthcare, with tech opportunities hard to find. If you’re more into the outdoors, make sure to visit Washington Park or one of many golf courses in town. 

Springfield homes for sale | Springfield houses for rent | Springfield apartments for rent

7. Peoria, IL

Peoria provides a huge number of benefits in an affordable package. Great parks, woodlands, plenty of events, and a growing music scene are all benefits most people love. It’s a mid-sized city with Midwestern character and plenty of friendly faces, with a great job market to boot. Most employers are related to healthcare and agriculture, with Caterpillar and OSF HealthCare headquartered in town. 

Peoria Lake and the Illinois River run through the center of town and provide a gorgeous backdrop for walks, runs, or spending a day in the historic downtown. Make sure to add the Rock Island Greenway and Grandview Drive to your walking rotation. Importantly, some areas of Peoria are empty, but the city has been investing big to revitalize its Downtown and waterfront. 

Sports lovers can hit Dozer Park for minor league baseball or cheer on Bradley University basketball at the Peoria Civic Center – a hot spot for events. Top it off with a growing food scene and neighborhood craft breweries, and you’ve got a community with a surprising amount of flair.

Peoria homes for sale | Peoria houses for rent | Peoria apartments for rent

8. Cicero, IL

The town of Cicero is a West-Chicago suburb that blends affordable living and friendly community into a great place to live. You’ll often find residents gathering at Cicero Community Park for movie nights or concerts, although other park options are limited. Cicero’s affordability is what helps it earn its spot as the eight-best place to live in Illinois. 

Getting around Cicero is easy on foot via the Pink Line and by car via Interstates 290 and 55. Cicero Community Park and Morton College are gathering spots for students and residents. Importantly, flooding is a growing concern, but the town recently received $96 million to help address concerns.

Living in Cicero means you’re in the thick of the city, but also that you’ll never run out of nearby things to do. If you don’t want to travel, most amenities closer to town are located to the east at the Cicero Market Place and Hawthorne Works malls. Food options are great, with classic chains and local hotspots. Freddy’s PIzza is a must-visit and will likely become your weekly staple. 

Cicero homes for sale | Cicero houses for rent | Cicero apartments for rent

9. Wheaton, IL

Wheaton is the picture of suburbia, with tree-lined streets, a quaint downtown, and an easy commute into Chicago via the Metra Train. But there’s more here than a pretty setting. Wheaton College, walks along the Illinois Prairie Path, and the Cosley Zoo are just a few of the town’s many benefits. The Danada Forest Preserve is only a short drive away, too. 

When winter hits, take yourself to the best sled hill in the area at Northside Park. If you’re up for a day outside, historic Cantigny park is just 10 minutes away and includes a garden, golf course, museums, and more. Concerts, lectures, and festivals are held year-round, with a great holiday event from November-January. 

Like other nearby cities, Wheaton has a quaint downtown with plenty of restaurants, shops, a library, and two parks. The city’s tight-knit feel shines in events like the weekly French Market and seasonal festivals around the DuPage County Fairgrounds. In short, natural beauty, access to the city, and everything you need without the hassle makes Wheaton one of the best places to live in Illinois. 

Wheaton homes for sale | Wheaton houses for rent | Wheaton apartments for rent

10. Decatur, IL

Decatur, an agriculture and former steelworking mecca, is the tenth-best place to live in Illinois. Very affordable housing, quiet streets, and access to nature make for a peaceful and enjoyable place to live. 

Locals love gathering around man-made Lake Decatur for fishing and boating, or at one of many parks surrounding the lake, like Nelson Park and the Kaufman Lakeside Conservation Area. Plus, the city has been actively revitalizing neighborhoods, with mixed success. Decatur is a small Midwestern city, though, with farmland and just a few unique restaurants scattered throughout the city. 

Decatur’s population has been declining for decades, with a large fall in the 2010s due to economic struggles. However, population losses have nearly stopped, and the city still has a major economic presence. Tate & Lyle, Caterpillar, and ADM are the largest corporations in town, offering thousands of jobs. Important to note: if you live downwind of the ADM or Tate & Lyle factories, be prepared for strong corn and soy-like smells, which can be unpleasant. 

Decatur homes for sale | Decatur houses for rent | Decatur apartments for rent

Methodology

Redfin’s Best Places to Live rankings are meant to help home searchers make an informed decision when choosing where to live. To attempt to measure the overall quality of a metro area, each ranking takes into account several key factors, including access to healthcare, open outdoor space, navigability, housing trends, employment statistics, income, and travel time to work. Only metros with a population of 50,000 or greater were considered for our Illinois list. More information about our methodology can be found here.

Data valid February 2025. This article is for informational and educational purposes only.