Best Places to Live in Illinois (2025)
Discover the best neighborhoods in Illinois. From Chicago's world-class urban neighborhoods to Oak Park's historic architecture and top-rated suburban school districts, explore Illinois living through detailed neighborhood guides.
Illinois Neighborhood Guides
Explore our detailed guides for Illinois's best neighborhoods. Each guide provides in-depth analysis of local characteristics, cost of living, and lifestyle fit.
Logan Square: Chicago's High-Energy Hub for Solo Professionals
Best for: Solo Professionals
Vibrant northwest Chicago neighborhood offering exceptional walkability, thriving arts and culture scene, high-energy nightlife, and ideal remote work setup for solo professionals.
Lincoln Park Chicago: Where Walkability Meets World-Class Dining
Best for: Young Couples
Chicago's most desirable neighborhood offering exceptional walkability, renowned restaurant scene, lakefront access, Lincoln Park Zoo, and vibrant couple-friendly lifestyle.
Why Solo Professionals Are Choosing Chicago's Uptown & Edgewater Over Downtown
Best for: Solo Professionals
Vibrant lakefront neighborhoods with exceptional walkability, legendary music venues, diverse dining, direct beach access, and strong cultural identity.
Why Move to Illinois?
Illinois offers the cultural amenities and career opportunities of a major metropolitan area with more affordable living than coastal cities. Chicago ranks as a global financial and cultural center with world-class museums, restaurants, and entertainment, while providing excellent public transit through the CTA and Metra systems. The state's suburbs consistently rank among America's best for schools and family living.
Our Illinois neighborhood guides analyze real data on cost of living, school ratings, CTA/Metra access, and community characteristics to help you find your perfect match. Whether you prioritize Chicago's urban walkability and nightlife, historic suburban architecture in Oak Park, top school districts in Naperville, or riverside charm in smaller cities, these guides provide detailed insights into Illinois's most livable neighborhoods.
Illinois Regions: Where to Live
Chicago Neighborhoods (Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park)
Known for: Urban walkability, Lake Michigan beaches, restaurant scene, CTA access. Lincoln Park offers parks and families, Lakeview provides nightlife and sports culture, Wicker Park delivers arts and dining. Higher density living with cultural amenities steps away.
Near North Suburbs (Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie)
Known for: Easy Chicago commutes, historic architecture, diverse communities, Northwestern University. Oak Park features Frank Lloyd Wright homes, Evanston offers college town culture with lakefront access. Excellent schools while maintaining urban feel and CTA/Metra access.
West Suburbs (Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn)
Known for: Top-rated school districts, family-friendly communities, corporate headquarters, Metra lines. Naperville consistently ranks among best U.S. suburbs. Strong property values, new construction, and established neighborhoods. Popular with families prioritizing education.
North Shore (Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park)
Known for: Lakefront living, prestigious schools, affluent communities, tree-lined streets. Higher price points but excellent quality of life. Historic homes and architectural character. Appeals to established families and professionals seeking top amenities.
Champaign-Urbana & Downstate
Known for: University of Illinois, more affordable housing, college town atmosphere, research opportunities. Significantly lower cost of living than Chicago metro. Strong healthcare and education sectors. Appeals to academics, grad students, and those seeking affordability.
Compare Illinois Cost of Living by ZIP Code
Use our interactive calculator to compare living expenses between any Illinois ZIP codes. See how housing, food, transportation, and other costs differ dramatically between Chicago and suburban areas.
Compare Illinois ZIP Codes