An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Illinois using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
1 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,633
- Population: 6,322
- Median household income: $78,603
- Median home value: $303,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,150 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Highlands Middle School (grade A), Pleasantdale Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A), Hinsdale Adventist Academy (grade A)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
2 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,629
- Population: 34,027
- Median household income: $95,756
- Median home value: $332,100 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,460 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Naperville North High School (grade A+), Naperville Central High School (grade A+), Kennedy Junior High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
3 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,622
- Population: 57,464
- Median household income: $71,271
- Median home value: $341,526 (30% own)
- Median rent: $1,320 (70% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
4 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,615
- Population: 13,654
- Median household income: $92,002
- Median home value: $272,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,111 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Columbus Elementary School (grade A), Edwardsville High School (grade A minus), Albert Cassens Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Metro-East Lutheran High School (grade A minus), Father McGivney Catholic High School (grade B+), First Baptist Academy (grade B)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
5 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,589
- Population: 11,190
- Median household income: $196,215
- Median home value: $928,317 (46% own)
- Median rent: $2,627 (54% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
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6 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,536
- Population: 10,003
- Median household income: $91,890
- Median home value: $600,184 (36% own)
- Median rent: $1,748 (64% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Saint Ignatius College Prep (grade A+)
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
7 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,467
- Population: 8,682
- Median household income: $86,605
- Median home value: $260,800 (57% own)
- Median rent: $995 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Central High School (grade A minus), Carrie Busey Elementary School (grade A minus), Bottenfield Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Academy High (grade A+), The High School of Saint Thomas More (grade A), Judah Christian School (grade A minus)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
8 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,434
- Population: 5,847
- Median household income: $101,507
- Median home value: $766,580 (32% own)
- Median rent: $1,722 (68% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+), Francis W. Parker School (grade A+)
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock
9 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,286
- Population: 19,781
- Median household income: $129,493
- Median home value: $368,877 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,086 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Morgan Park Academy (grade A+), St. Laurence High School (grade A+), St. Rita of Cascia High School (grade A)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
10 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,236
- Population: 7,831
- Median household income: $163,028
- Median home value: $627,306 (50% own)
- Median rent: $2,068 (50% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
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11 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,226
- Population: 10,063
- Median household income: $105,784
- Median home value: $664,956 (23% own)
- Median rent: $2,120 (77% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
12 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,198
- Population: 6,826
- Median household income: $100,026
- Median home value: $496,101 (42% own)
- Median rent: $1,643 (58% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Roycemore School (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
imtmphoto // Shutterstock
13 / 30- Overall Rank: 1,028
- Population: 42,271
- Median household income: $93,553
- Median home value: $469,583 (40% own)
- Median rent: $1,539 (60% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Roycemore School (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
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14 / 30- Overall Rank: 985
- Population: 49,273
- Median household income: $73,188
- Median home value: $310,402 (36% own)
- Median rent: $1,329 (64% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+)
FamVeld // Shutterstock
15 / 30- Overall Rank: 836
- Population: 29,559
- Median household income: $74,008
- Median home value: $332,284 (34% own)
- Median rent: $1,518 (66% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (grade A+), British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+)
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16 / 30- Overall Rank: 803
- Population: 14,193
- Median household income: $126,289
- Median home value: $627,213 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,998 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
Akarawut // Shutterstock
17 / 30- Overall Rank: 802
- Population: 45,831
- Median household income: $149,773
- Median home value: $791,128 (46% own)
- Median rent: $2,044 (54% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
Josep Suria // Shutterstock
18 / 30- Overall Rank: 766
- Population: 3,628
- Median household income: $101,486
- Median home value: $412,539 (26% own)
- Median rent: $1,795 (74% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
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19 / 30- Overall Rank: 763
- Population: 28,216
- Median household income: $125,636
- Median home value: $531,519 (52% own)
- Median rent: $2,406 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (grade A+), British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+)
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock
20 / 30- Overall Rank: 681
- Population: 24,115
- Median household income: $160,132
- Median home value: $635,203 (46% own)
- Median rent: $2,267 (54% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
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21 / 30- Overall Rank: 680
- Population: 35,814
- Median household income: $159,851
- Median home value: $748,556 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,817 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
RossHelen // Shutterstock
22 / 30- Overall Rank: 562
- Population: 30,913
- Median household income: $139,112
- Median home value: $604,077 (41% own)
- Median rent: $1,985 (59% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock
23 / 30- Overall Rank: 539
- Population: 92,264
- Median household income: $120,525
- Median home value: $563,494 (38% own)
- Median rent: $1,842 (62% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
Jacek Chabraszewski // Shutterstock
24 / 30- Overall Rank: 383
- Population: 37,113
- Median household income: $144,830
- Median home value: $573,322 (35% own)
- Median rent: $2,431 (65% rent)
- Top public schools: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), Lincoln Park High School (grade A), DeVry University Advantage Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
25 / 30- Overall Rank: 352
- Population: 25,529
- Median household income: $133,561
- Median home value: $676,059 (39% own)
- Median rent: $2,373 (61% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
26 / 30- Overall Rank: 312
- Population: 2,228
- Median household income: $125,573
- Median home value: $432,384 (49% own)
- Median rent: $2,512 (51% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Saint Ignatius College Prep (grade A+)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
27 / 30- Overall Rank: 282
- Population: 26,330
- Median household income: $160,838
- Median home value: $638,667 (45% own)
- Median rent: $2,131 (55% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
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28 / 30- Overall Rank: 128
- Population: 3,416
- Median household income: $103,075
- Median home value: $384,100 (37% own)
- Median rent: $1,899 (63% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (grade A+), British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+)
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock
29 / 30- Overall Rank: 97
- Population: 27,507
- Median household income: $147,348
- Median home value: $489,223 (41% own)
- Median rent: $2,583 (59% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (grade A+), British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+)
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock
30 / 30- Overall Rank: 81
- Population: 38,255
- Median household income: $126,476
- Median home value: $493,338 (32% own)
- Median rent: $2,432 (68% rent)
- Top public schools: Payton College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Northside College Preparatory High School (grade A+), Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (grade A+), British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Latin School of Chicago (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
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