Where are the best places to buy a home in Illinois? New report ranks top 5 cities

If you’re looking to enter the real estate market in Illinois, you may want to check out a recent ranking comparing the best cities to buy a home in the state.

Ranking and reviews website Niche evaluates public schools , best places to live and more. Its 2024 Best Cities to Buy a House in Illinois considered factors such as home value to income ratio, public schools grade, monthly housing costs, cost of living and more in its methodology.

Statewide, Illinois’ average home value has increased by 6.9% over the past year, according to real estate company Zillow, and sits at $269,679. Zillow reports Belleville’s average home value has seen a slight decline in the past year , with a 0.2% decrease bringing it to $143,188.

The Illinois Realtors association reports May brought a 0.2% increase in closed sales compared to last year, with a 9.1% jump in median sales price statewide. The statewide median sales price was $300,000 in May , up from $275,000 last year.

Here’s how the top five best cities to buy a home in Illinois compared, according to Niche.

1. Naperville

Along with being named the top Illinois city in which to buy a home, this popular Chicagoland city was also named the third-best city in the U.S. for home-buying and the number one best city to live in the nation.

Another Niche ranking put Naperville in 24th place for “ 2024 Best Places to Live in America .” The “best places” ranking includes city neighborhoods, suburbs and towns, along with cities.

Naperville has a population of 149,089, according to Niche, and the city got an A+ overall Niche grade, A- for diversity, A- for housing, A+ for public schools and a B for crime and safety.

The median household income in Naperville is $143,754, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Naperville’s average home value is $572,930 , according to Zillow, up 10.1% year-to-year.

2. Springfield

The Land of Lincoln’s capital also landed in 21st place in Niche’s 2024 Best Cities to Buy a House in America. Springfield is home to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum .

Niche reports Springfield has a population of 114,214, and the city received an A- overall Niche grade , an A for diversity, B for housing, B for public schools and C- for crime and safety.

The median household income in Springfield is $62,419 , according to the Census Bureau. Springfield’s average home value is $156,672 , up 5.6% year-to-year, according to Zillow.

3. Peoria

Peoria’s Niche accolades include an 18th place ranking for the Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America, 42nd in Best Cities to Buy a House in America and 74th for Most Diverse Cities in America.

The New York Times reported in January 2023 a TikTok user brought “hundreds of transplants” to Peoria by highlighting the city’s affordable real estate.

Peoria has a population of 113,054, Niche reports, and the city got a B+ overall grade, an A for diversity, B for housing, B for public schools and D for crime and safety.

The median household income in Peoria is $58,068, the Census Bureau reports. Peoria’s average home value is up 10.6% year-to-year at $126,580, Zillow reports.

4. Elgin

Elgin was named the fourth-best city to buy a house in Illinois , as well as the 70th-best city to raise a family in America.

Located about 42 miles from Chicago, the city is known for its parks and public schools, Niche reports.

Elgin has a population of 114,190, according to Niche, and the city received a B+ overall Niche grade, an A for diversity, B- for housing, B for public schools and C+ for crime and safety.

The median household income in Elgin is $85,998, according to the Census Bureau. The area has seen a 9.3% increase in average home value year-to-year, according to Zillow, with an average home value of $308,886.

5. Rockford

Another northern Illinois city, Rockford, also made the top five for best cities to buy a house in Illinois. Niche gave the city a 213th-place ranking for the Best Cities for Young Professionals in America.

Rockford has a population of 148,173, according to Niche, and received a B- overall Niche grade, an A+ for diversity, B- for housing, C+ for public schools and D- for crime and safety.

The median household income in Rockford is $50,744, the Census Bureau reports. Rockford’s average home value is $158,680, up 14.7% from last year, Zillow reports.

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