Living in Ottawa, IL

Pros and Cons of Living in Ottawa

What's it like Living in Ottawa?

Located in the state of Illinois, Ottawa is a medium-sized city with a population of 18,742 people. At 91%, the majority of the Ottawa population is White; this is followed by 5% Black and 1% Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Ottawa will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Ottawa, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Ottawa, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, education and more.

With a livability score of 74/100, Ottawa is ranked #3,719 in the United States and #183 in Illinois. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Ottawa scores well for crime (A-), cost of living (A+) and housing (B-) There are some categories that Ottawa ranks poorly for, including: amenities (D), education (D) and employment (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Ottawa gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 177 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Ottawa apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that Ottawa meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Ottawa. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Ottawa are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Ottawa come in at $123,500, which is 29.3% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Ottawa, the home price to income ratio is 2.3, which is 23.3% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ottawa

Compare Ottawa, IL Livability

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Ottawa transportation information