Illinois
Among the top 24% of US states for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 12% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 71% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 35% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 76% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 35% of US states
- top 16% for airport distance
- top 18% for walkability
- bottom 2% for property tax rate
Illinois is a U.S. state with about 12,758,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include airport distance, walkability, and school quality. It rates lower on air quality and property tax rate.
Official websiteillinois.gov (opens in new tab)
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$81k69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$54kbetter than 38% of US states
Home Value$250k47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 43% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 29% of US states
Property Tax Rate2.14%better than 2% of US states
Income Tax5.01%better than 54% of US states
Sales Tax8.86%better than 12% of US states
Estimated total tax burden14.47%better than 24% of US states
Unemployment5.9%better than 24% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)26°F25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)75°F49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation40.2 in39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall30.9 inbetter than 41% of US states
Sunny Days238 daysbetter than 63% of US states
Summer Humidity64°Fbetter than 49% of US states
Comfortable Days87 daysbetter than 64% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk90.3better than 25% of US states
Air Quality53 AQIbetter than 6% of US states
School Quality83.7better than 82% of US states
Violent Crime1336/100kbetter than 40% of US states
Property Crime1393/100kbetter than 68% of US states
Community
Population12,757,63490th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.741st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5067th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9843rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1922nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)59.6%31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)13.7%73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)17.8%80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)5.7%80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.2%6th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time28 minbetter than 16% of US states
Walkability10.6/20better than 82% of US states
Airport Distance37 mibetter than 84% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access88.3%better than 55% of US states
Amenities Nearby3.35better than 49% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 37% of US states
Frequently asked questions
- Is Illinois an affordable place to live?
- Illinois is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $54k, better than 38% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Illinois?
- The median home value in Illinois is $250k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Illinois?
- Median household income in Illinois is $81k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Illinois?
- Median gross rent in Illinois is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Illinois safe?
- Illinois is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1336/100k (better than 40%). Property crime is 1393/100k.
- What is the weather like in Illinois?
- Illinois averages 75°F in July and 26°F in January, with 40.2 in of annual precipitation and about 238 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Illinois?
- Public-school quality in Illinois is above average, scoring better than 82% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Illinois?
- The average one-way commute in Illinois is 28 min.
Best places to live in Illinois
Top cities in Illinois
Counties in Illinois
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)