Downers Grove 86 Exceptional
Downers Grove Livability #24 ranked city in Illinois#452 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Downers Grove

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in Downers Grove?

Downers Grove, Illinois is a medium-sized city with a population of 50,391 inhabitants. Downers Grove has a population density of 3,473 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. According to the most recent Census, 88% of Downers Grove residents are White, 5% Asian and 3% Black. Something to be aware of when living in Downers Grove are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 30 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Downers Grove could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like commute, health & safety, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Downers Grove and in the areas around Downers Grove is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 84 out of 100, Downers Grove is ranked #582 in the United States and #23 in Illinois. Compared to the US average, Downers Grove ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Downers Grove has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Downers Grove ranks well for amenities (B+), crime (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Downers Grove scores poorly for, including: cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Downers Grove has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Downers Grove has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 113 crimes per 100,000 residents, Downers Grove has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Downers Grove excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Downers Grove is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Downers Grove come in at $662,489, which is 114.7% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Downers Grove, the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 31.4% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Downers Grove

See all the best places to live around Downers Grove

How Do You Rate The Livability In Downers Grove?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Downers Grove, IL Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Downers Grove transportation information

      Statistic Downers Grove Illinois National
      Average one way commute30min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work68.9%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.5%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit12.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home12.4%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Downers Grove, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.