The 10 Best Places To Live In Illinois For 2026


The best places to live in Illinois for 2026 are Western Springs, Northfield, and Deerfield. 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 2026? 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 2026

Best Places To Live In Illinois Map

Western Springs, IL

Source: Wikipedia User MrHarman | GFDL
Stat Western Springs Illinois
Population 13,446 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $863,782 $285,735
Median Income $230,255 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 3.1% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0028 0.0201

More on Western Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Located between Chicago and Naperville, Western Springs is the best place to live in Illinois. Western Springs’ poverty level of 1.3% and unemployment rate of 3.1% are among the most impressive in the state. It’s not like people are just floating by here either, because at $230,255/year, Western Springs enjoys the 6th 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 1 violent crimes committed in Western Springs in 2026, which gives Western Springs the 8th lowest rate in Illinois. Even though violence is quite unlikely, Western Springs residents are prepared if it does come. That’s because 99.1% of folks in Western Springs have health insurance, which is the 8th highest rate in Illinois.

Northfield, IL

Source: Wikipedia User 123dieinafire of English Wikipedia | CC BY 3.0
Stat Northfield Illinois
Population 5,487 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 7
Median Home Value $841,445 $285,735
Median Income $161,500 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 2.2% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0078 0.0201

More on Northfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Deerfield, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Shsilver at English Wikipedia | CC BY 3.0 us
Stat Deerfield Illinois
Population 19,518 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 2
Median Home Value $635,444 $285,735
Median Income $181,660 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 2.7% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0100 0.0201

More on Deerfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

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 14th best-paid populace in the state, with a median household income of $181,660/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 99.0% 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.

Hinsdale, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Teemu08 at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Hinsdale Illinois
Population 17,175 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $1,244,308 $285,735
Median Income $250,001 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 3.2% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0054 0.0201

More on Hinsdale: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’re sticking around western Chi-Town suburbs for our 4th 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.

Riverside, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Nmaviano | GFDL
Stat Riverside Illinois
Population 9,039 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 70
Median Home Value $547,998 $285,735
Median Income $153,686 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 1.9% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0083 0.0201

More on Riverside: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

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 9,039, this suburb in Cook County showcases diverse architectural treasures that draw design and history aficionados. Its affluence is evidenced by the impressive $547,998 median home value and high 153,686 median income. Low crime rates, with 0.0008 and 0.0075 violent and property crime rates per capita, ensure resident safety.

Wheaton, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Katherine Johnson from Springfield, IL | CC BY 2.0
Stat Wheaton Illinois
Population 53,557 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 10
Median Home Value $501,273 $285,735
Median Income $120,008 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 3.7% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0058 0.0201

More on Wheaton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Glencoe, IL

Source: Wikipedia User User:JeremyA | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Glencoe Illinois
Population 8,701 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 17
Median Home Value $1,577,964 $285,735
Median Income $248,933 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 3.6% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0061 0.0201

More on Glencoe: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Up next on our list of the best places to live in Illinois is Glencoe, one Chicago’s best suburbs. We also named Glencoe as the richest place in Illinois, so you might want to turn up with a lucrative job or substantial savings if you’re moving here soon.

Glencoe residents enjoy the 4th highest median income in Illinois at $248,933. Which is sort of necessary when you’re also paying the 2nd highest prices for homes in the state, with a median home value of $1,577,964.

But for the money, you get some of the best schools in the state — GreatSchools gave the village’s school’s an average rating of 8.5, and Glencoe enjoys the 6th lowest high school dropout rate in Illinois.

Besides being great on paper, Glencoe has loads to keep you occupied year-round. It’s home to the Chicago Botanical Garden, so there’s always time to stop and smell the roses here.

Residents also have access to Glencoe Beach for relaxation and the Writer’s Theatre for some heady entertainment. And heady entertainment is in high demand, considering 87% of adults in Glencoe are highly educated.

Winnetka, IL

Source: Wikipedia User anarchosyn | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stat Winnetka Illinois
Population 12,484 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 4
Median Home Value $1,818,304 $285,735
Median Income $250,001 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 3.4% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0072 0.0201

More on Winnetka: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We know we’ve been touting the wealth of some of the other communities on this list, but none of them holds a candle to Winnetka. Homes in Winnetka go for around $1,818,304, the 1st costliest in the state. If you want to buy the Home Alone house, it might set you back a bit more. That’s okay though, because Winnetka also has the 2nd highest median household income statewide at $250,001/year. With these kind of numbers, it’s not hard to see why we named Winnetka one of the richest places in Illinois.

Folks in Winnetka didn’t coincidentally end up in big homes with big salaries. Over 45% of residents have a master’s degree, PhD, or professional degree, so you’re looking at the result of years of hard work here. And it’s paid off for the whole community, which enjoys an unemployment rate and poverty level under 3%. Residents can spend their hard-earned free time fishing, kayaking, or hiking at Skokie Lagoons.

Geneva, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Jauerback | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Geneva Illinois
Population 21,258 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 18
Median Home Value $532,206 $285,735
Median Income $144,341 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 1.8% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0058 0.0201

More on Geneva: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Buffalo Grove, IL

Source: Public domain
Stat Buffalo Grove Illinois
Population 42,891 12,694,798
Rank Last Year 14
Median Home Value $436,990 $285,735
Median Income $129,395 $83,390
Unemployment Rate 2.7% 5.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0073 0.0201

More on Buffalo Grove: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

In what’s becoming a pattern, Buffalo Grove is yet another Chicago suburb to rank among the best places to live in Chicago. At 42,891, Buffalo Grove is the most populous place to make this list, so you won’t have to worry about being far from the action here. Especially with Fine Art Festival and the Buffalo Grove Days popping off every summer.

You won’t have to worry about crime here either, because Buffalo Grove experienced the 22nd lowest amount of violent crime per capita in Illinois and had a total crime rate about 75% below the national average. And if you’ve got kiddos, you can feel confident sending them through one of the best educational systems in the state.

With a median household income of $129,395/year and a median home price of $436,990, Buffalo Grove has the second lowest cost of living of places we’re covering on this list.

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 113,330, 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 2026. This report is our eleventh 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, Northfield, Deerfield, Hinsdale, Riverside, Wheaton, Glencoe, Winnetka, Geneva, and Buffalo Grove.

Western Springs made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Illinois for 2026.

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

  1. Chicago Heights (Pop. 26,736)
  2. Markham (Pop. 11,355)
  3. Riverdale (Pop. 10,340)

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 13,446 3.1% $863,782 $230,255 $2,006 0.0028
2 Northfield 5,487 2.2% $841,445 $161,500 $2,083 0.0078
3 Deerfield 19,518 2.7% $635,444 $181,660 $2,482 0.0100
4 Hinsdale 17,175 3.2% $1,244,308 $250,001 $1,924 0.0054
5 Riverside 9,039 1.9% $547,998 $153,686 $1,484 0.0083
6 Wheaton 53,557 3.7% $501,273 $120,008 $1,799 0.0058
7 Glencoe 8,701 3.6% $1,577,964 $248,933 $2,211 0.0061
8 Winnetka 12,484 3.4% $1,818,304 $250,001 $1,842 0.0072
9 Geneva 21,258 1.8% $532,206 $144,341 $1,768 0.0058
10 Buffalo Grove 42,891 2.7% $436,990 $129,395 $2,037 0.0073
11 Highland Park 30,398 3.2% $751,000 $168,094 $1,925 0.0086
12 La Grange Park 13,447 3.3% $480,916 $120,408 $1,442 0.0067
13 Northbrook 34,585 3.2% $688,265 $157,782 $2,463 0.0119
14 Libertyville 20,525 2.9% $603,285 $165,667 $1,637 0.0061
15 Inverness 7,275 3.3% $787,209 $207,434 $0 0.0041
16 Lincolnshire 7,980 2.2% $714,055 $185,580 $2,858 0.0095
17 Wilmette 27,503 4.2% $961,182 $190,662 $1,978 0.0117
18 Troy 11,647 3.1% $324,854 $112,434 $1,116 0.0046
19 La Grange 15,998 2.2% $639,654 $159,929 $1,856 0.0093
20 Clarendon Hills 8,659 3.2% $666,350 $130,388 $1,142 0.0043
21 South Barrington 5,021 2.0% $1,108,364 $221,575 $2,200 0.0076
22 Elburn 6,354 0.5% $448,721 $127,731 $1,708 0.0061
23 Lake Bluff 6,041 4.4% $633,529 $204,000 $2,063 0.0079
24 Lake Forest 19,416 1.8% $1,167,578 $235,081 $1,815 0.0064
25 Monticello 6,304 0.5% $267,358 $99,449 $1,379 0.0022
26 Winfield 10,095 5.6% $456,206 $135,795 $1,493 0.0041
27 Lake Zurich 19,832 3.2% $488,102 $135,968 $1,909 0.0126
28 Batavia 27,151 2.5% $453,319 $120,056 $1,347 0.0081
29 Bartlett 40,501 2.6% $430,325 $133,240 $1,883 0.0041
30 Oswego 36,375 2.6% $416,737 $123,792 $1,860 0.0061
31 Park Ridge 38,667 4.2% $564,904 $142,986 $1,537 0.0091
32 Elmhurst 45,671 4.3% $613,207 $149,644 $1,975 0.0087
33 New Lenox 28,006 2.9% $440,655 $140,865 $1,431 0.0099
34 Burr Ridge 11,141 3.4% $828,471 $156,829 $3,501 0.0088
35 Arlington Heights 76,005 3.5% $470,944 $116,723 $1,760 0.0090
36 Manhattan 11,026 1.5% $385,490 $128,522 $1,213 0.0023
37 Campton Hills 10,877 5.0% $666,624 $209,134 $1,750 0.0006
38 Barrington 11,077 2.8% $613,360 $147,989 $1,500 0.0087
39 Cary 17,923 5.0% $368,572 $113,026 $1,428 0.0049
40 Chatham 14,639 3.6% $298,423 $106,773 $1,256 0.0059
41 Naperville 150,692 4.5% $610,453 $155,105 $1,885 0.0097
42 Mount Zion 5,660 3.4% $193,289 $103,365 $744 0.0058
43 Glen Ellyn 28,390 5.3% $562,204 $140,938 $1,433 0.0062
44 Lisle 23,407 4.2% $425,025 $107,479 $1,658 0.0049
45 Glenview 47,752 3.4% $663,146 $143,056 $2,148 0.0132
46 Lemont 17,820 4.5% $565,404 $123,370 $1,209 0.0057
47 Downers Grove 50,054 4.0% $494,150 $115,114 $1,656 0.0097
48 Frankfort 20,651 4.1% $487,132 $154,375 $2,442 0.0072
49 Pingree Grove 10,914 3.7% $369,701 $114,294 $3,501 0.0017
50 Palos Heights 12,152 3.6% $389,152 $108,740 $2,558 0.0086
51 Mokena 20,021 4.1% $443,959 $123,889 $1,254 0.0081
52 Gilberts 8,606 3.7% $409,640 $146,333 $1,901 0.0026
53 Hawthorn Woods 9,143 5.7% $727,355 $219,631 $0 0.0014
54 Rockton 7,974 3.1% $288,099 $119,058 $914 0.0087
55 Vernon Hills 26,876 3.2% $448,031 $121,943 $1,903 0.0151
56 Itasca 9,355 2.6% $443,025 $114,294 $1,892 0.0079
57 Westchester 16,436 5.2% $357,237 $98,954 $1,794 0.0066
58 Minooka 12,891 4.2% $364,409 $115,445 $1,552 0.0034
59 Sugar Grove 9,240 5.3% $445,736 $121,207 $1,543 0.0036
60 Brookfield 19,331 3.3% $345,444 $110,295 $1,414 0.0070
61 West Dundee 7,906 3.3% $411,112 $105,368 $1,666 0.0111
62 Long Grove 8,305 2.1% $924,480 $250,001 $3,501 0.0237
63 Darien 21,879 3.9% $449,622 $111,215 $1,857 0.0095
64 Mahomet 10,049 3.5% $339,545 $118,586 $1,396 0.0046
65 Plainfield 46,708 3.8% $421,480 $144,000 $2,119 0.0077
66 Huntley 28,005 3.6% $417,547 $88,536 $1,622 0.0046
67 Highland 10,262 1.0% $267,000 $82,551 $855 0.0071
68 River Forest 11,992 8.1% $716,652 $146,786 $1,554 0.0237
69 Lindenhurst 14,417 6.7% $347,218 $131,474 $1,768 0.0019
70 St. Charles 32,854 4.1% $463,142 $114,300 $1,819 0.0114
71 Homer Glen 24,529 4.6% $505,178 $136,678 $1,861 0.0029
72 Algonquin 30,067 4.1% $406,940 $134,525 $1,723 0.0125
73 Columbia 11,127 1.4% $342,741 $107,606 $1,128 0.0144
74 Willow Springs 5,868 4.6% $386,669 $103,583 $1,463 0.0037
75 Manteno 9,030 2.9% $307,922 $97,634 $1,141 0.0052
76 Grayslake 20,929 5.4% $361,376 $113,972 $1,485 0.0082
77 Geneseo 6,673 3.5% $238,661 $70,147 $1,015 0.0093
78 Sycamore 18,559 3.0% $313,783 $84,120 $1,140 0.0106
79 Lockport 26,409 4.7% $360,598 $111,981 $1,525 0.0067
80 Lake in the Hills 28,800 5.9% $369,917 $117,151 $1,689 0.0050
81 Lombard 43,619 4.4% $380,912 $100,362 $1,948 0.0171
82 Washington 15,919 1.0% $226,354 $95,179 $1,155 0.0121
83 Bloomingdale 22,457 4.6% $428,844 $102,928 $1,603 0.0145
84 Westmont 23,724 4.0% $400,411 $88,090 $1,533 0.0111
85 Glen Carbon 13,977 4.4% $331,014 $97,168 $1,097 0.0116
86 Spring Grove 5,917 7.3% $406,655 $134,210 $0 0.0039
87 Mount Prospect 55,472 3.8% $433,813 $101,720 $1,502 0.0094
88 Maryville 8,316 6.2% $325,041 $100,670 $1,145 0.0035
89 Yorkville 23,617 3.6% $399,862 $108,513 $1,662 0.0050
90 Hampshire 8,524 2.5% $407,966 $94,773 $2,589 0.0038
91 O’Fallon 32,262 3.7% $308,470 $105,982 $1,332 0.0120
92 Morton 16,595 2.8% $280,240 $94,402 $1,074 0.0096
93 Mundelein 31,915 2.6% $380,533 $108,340 $1,566 0.0077
94 Carol Stream 39,460 3.9% $377,327 $102,309 $1,529 0.0077
95 Waterloo 11,129 2.3% $327,507 $98,711 $886 0.0144
96 Shorewood 18,343 6.6% $403,277 $122,105 $1,479 0.0092
97 Gurnee 30,510 4.8% $368,528 $119,628 $1,655 0.0237
98 Colona 5,139 0.6% $177,129 $79,700 $838 0.0088
99 Edwardsville 26,474 4.6% $324,629 $86,721 $1,306 0.0072
100 Volo 6,706 2.6% $366,347 $160,792 $2,169 0.0237

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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.