Best places to live in Illinois

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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.