O'Fallon is 5% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $102,793
and a population of 32,139.
New Lenox is 5% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $133,071
and a population of 27,456.
Manhattan is 1% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $128,375
and a population of 10,315.
Godfrey is 18% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $92,746
and a population of 17,743.
Pingree Grove is 3% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $119,880
and a population of 10,576.
Shiloh is 11% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $100,058
and a population of 14,109.
Wauconda is 3% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $112,438
and a population of 14,010.
Troy is 15% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $97,825
and a population of 10,889.
South Elgin is 9% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $123,744
and a population of 23,984.
Edwardsville is 6% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $92,671
and a population of 26,543.
Grayslake is 3% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $113,697
and a population of 20,707.
Round Lake is 2% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $108,965
and a population of 18,588.
Joliet is 6% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $88,026
and a population of 149,785.
Mokena is 9% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $129,017
and a population of 19,906.
Waterloo is 21% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $92,005
and a population of 11,055.
How We Rank the Best Places to Live
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average),
income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau),
housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and
climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates).
Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the
US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.