From Chicago’s iconic skyline and world-class museums to historic landmarks like Abraham Lincoln’s dwelling and the picturesque Starved Rock State Park, there are many causes to contemplate shifting to Illinois. If Illinois sounds just like the state for you, then you might also be inquisitive about what cities match into your funds. For instance, the median dwelling sale worth in Illinois is $285,900 as of April.
Don’t fear if that worth doesn’t slot in your funds – we’ve received choices that can assist you discover a dwelling or condo that does. Redfin has rounded up an inventory of 10 of essentially the most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois – and so they all have a median dwelling sale worth below $285,900. Let’s discover out which cities made the checklist.
# 1: Decatur
Median dwelling worth: $102,250
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $75
Median family revenue: $45,404
Nearest main metro: Springfield (40 miles)
Decatur, IL properties on the market
Decatur, IL flats for hire
With a median dwelling sale worth of $102,250, Decatur is available in at primary on our checklist of most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 70,500 residents residing on this mid-sized metropolis. In the event you’re contemplating shifting to this space be certain to go to Nelson Park the place you’ll discover a restaurant, amphitheater, and views of Lake Decatur, take a look at Rock Springs Conservation Space, and stroll alongside the paths at Fairview Park.
#2: Peoria
Median dwelling worth: $133,500
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $86
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $924
Median family revenue: $51,736
Nearest main metro: Chicago (160 miles)
Peoria, IL properties on the market
Peoria, IL flats for hire
Coming in because the second most reasonably priced metropolis to dwell in Illinois is Peoria. When residing on this metropolis of 113,100 folks, you may discover Laura Bradley Park and the Forest Park Nature Heart, take a look at the riverfront and downtown Peoria, and go to museums just like the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
#3: Springfield
Median dwelling worth: $147,350
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $90
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,030
Median family revenue: $54,164
Nearest main metro: St. Louis (96 miles)
Springfield, IL properties on the market
Springfield, IL flats for hire
About 114,400 folks reside in Springfield, situated in central Illinois. The median dwelling sale worth is $147,350 which is about $140K lower than the median dwelling sale worth in Illinois. Be sure to go to the Illinois State Capitol constructing and take a look at historic websites like Lincoln Residence Nationwide Historic Website, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museumand Dana-Thomas Home State Historic Website. It’s also possible to spend the day at Lake Springfield should you transfer to the third most reasonably priced metropolis.
#4: Rockford
Median dwelling worth: $165,000
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $98
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $987
Median family revenue: $50,744
Rockford, IL properties on the market
Rockford, IL flats for hire
With a median dwelling sale worth of $165,000, Rockford is the fourth on our checklist of most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 146,100 residents residing on this mid-sized metropolis. In the event you’re contemplating shifting to this space be certain to go to among the metropolis’s inexperienced areas just like the Anderson Japanese Gardensthe Nicholas Conservatory & Gardensand the Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Backyard. Rockford additionally has a fantastic downtown alongside the Rock River, the place you’ll discover native eating places and breweries, the Rockford Metropolis Marketand the Coronado Performing Arts Heart.
#5: Bloomington
Median dwelling worth: $212,500
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $112
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,012
Median family revenue: $66,861
Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)
Bloomington, IL properties on the market
Bloomington, IL flats for hire
One other noteworthy metropolis is Bloomington, the place you’ll discover the house costs are about $120K lower than the state’s common. Bloomington has about 78,700 residents and is a good metropolis to contemplate shopping for a house this 12 months. There are many actions to do on this metropolis. You’ll be able to go to the museums and historic spots just like the McLean County Museum of Historical past and David Davis Mansiontake a look at Miller Park and the Miller Park Zoo, and golf at one of many programs, amongst many different native favorites.
#6: Waukegan
Median dwelling worth: $234,000
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $178
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,385
Median family revenue: $66,077
Nearest main metro: Chicago (45 miles)
Waukegan, IL properties on the market
Waukegan, IL flats for hire
Sixth on our checklist is Waukegan, situated alongside Lake Michigan. Residence to about 87,600 residents, Waukegan is an superior reasonably priced lakefront metropolis to dwell in. For instance, you may get pleasure from Waukegan Municipal Seaside the place you’ll discover the Waukegan Dunes and the Waukegan Harbor Mild. Waukegan additionally has loads of landmarks just like the Genesee Theatre and inexperienced areas like Waukegan Savanna Forest Protect and the Illinois Seaside Nature Protect.
#7: Champaign
Median dwelling worth: $237,000
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $148
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,155
Median family revenue: $51,736
Nearest main metro: Springfield (86 miles)
Champaign, IL properties on the market
Champaign, IL flats for hire
Solely barely dearer than Waukegan is Champaign, the subsequent metropolis on our checklist. With roughly 88,300 residents in Champaign, be certain to take a look at one of many parks like Kaufman Lake, discover downtown Champaign, and go to the College of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.
#8: Oak Garden
Median dwelling worth: $245,000
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $173
Median family revenue: $69,352
Nearest main metro: Chicago (25 miles)
Oak Garden, IL properties on the market
Oak Garden, IL flats for hire
Subsequent on our checklist of reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois is Oak Garden. With a inhabitants of near 58,400, Oak Garden is a good space to dwell in that’s not practically as massive as the most important metropolitan cities in Illinois. It’s additionally conveniently situated simply southwest of Chicago. If you end up shifting to this metropolis be certain to discover the Wolfe Wildlife Park the place you’ll discover trails and nature preserves, and take a look at the native eating places.
#9: Regular
Median dwelling worth: $265,000
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $121
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,225
Median family revenue: $51,736
Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)
Regular, IL properties on the market
Regular, IL flats for hire
Take into account including Regular to your checklist of cities to take a look at to should you’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced place to dwell in Illinois. With 52,700 folks residing on this reasonably priced city, you may take a look at the Illinois State College campus, and go to among the historic spots and parks on the town.
#10: Joliet
Median dwelling worth: $285,500
Common sale worth per sq. foot: $177
Common hire for a 1-bedroom condo: $1,235
Median family revenue: $72,871
Nearest main metro: Chicago (48 miles)
Joliet, IL properties on the market
Joliet, IL flats for hire
The ultimate metropolis on our checklist of reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois is Joliet. Residence to about 150,400 residents, Joliet is a good choice to contemplate. Among the points of interest in Joliet embody visiting the Joliet Space Historic Museumstopping by the Rialto Sq. Theatreand trying out Historic Route 66.
Methodology: All cities will need to have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median dwelling sale worth below the common median dwelling sale worth in Illinois. Median dwelling sale worth and median sale worth per sq. foot from the Redfin Knowledge Heart throughout April 2025. Common rental information from Lease.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family revenue information sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
