If you’re looking for some ideas on where to live in Illinois, you’ve come to the right place!
Obviously, the best place to live is a fairly subjective thing. It all depends on your lifestyle, your family, your job, your hobbies, and your budget.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when looking for the best place to live for YOU in Illinois:
- What is the cost of housing? (Home prices and rent)
- What is the job market like in the area?
- How is commuting and transportation?
- How good are public schools in the area?
- Is it a safe place to live?
- What is the culture like?
- What is there to do for fun?
- What is the weather and climate like throughout the year?
With that said, our picks for the best places to live in Illinois include:
- Naperville
- Chicago
- Springfield
Read why they made the list below!
1. Naperville
Naperville is located in DuPage County within the northeast region of Illinois outside of Chicago.
With a population of 148,000, Naperville ranks 4th largest in Illinois. It’s a medium sized city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Naperville’s climate is typical of most Midwestern states with four seasons including cold, snowy winters, hot summers, humid springs, and temperate falls.
Here’s how we rate Naperville on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 3/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4.5/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 4/5 |
2. Chicago
Chicago is located in Cook County within the northeastern region of Illinois.
With a population of 2,709,500, Chicago ranks largest in Illinois and 3rd largest in the US. It’s a large city with an urban feel in most areas.
Chicago’s climate is classified as hot-summer humid continental with hot, humid summers and cold, windy, and snowy winters. Average highs range from 32 to 85 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 18 to 68, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Chicago on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 3.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 3.5/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3.5/5 |
3. Springfield
Springfield is located in Sangamon County within the central region of Illinois.
With a population of 115,500, Springfield ranks 6th largest in Illinois. It’s a medium sized city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Springfield’s climate borders the humid continental and humid subtropical zones with snowy, cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Here’s how we rate Springfield on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
Next Steps: Prepare for your Move
Moving to a new state or new city can be a pretty daunting process! Trust us, we’ve been there.
That’s why we’ve created this site to help you along the way. Check out some of our other resources as you continue down the path towards your new home:
Plus, we’ve made it easy for you to shop and compare all different types of insurance policies as you prepare for your move. (Expert tip: This is one of the BEST ways to save some money). Get started below: