Park Ridge 86 Exceptional
Park Ridge Livability #9 ranked city in Illinois#285 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Park Ridge

PROS
  • Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

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What's it like Living in Park Ridge?

Located in the state of Illinois, Park Ridge is a moderately-sized city with a population of 37,431 inhabitants. With a population density of 5,281 people per square mile, Park Ridge is well above the nation's average density level. According to the most recent Census, 90% of Park Ridge residents are White, 6% Asian and 1% Black. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Park Ridge offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Park Ridge is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, commute, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Park Ridge and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Park Ridge to Illinois and the national average.

Park Ridge has a livability score of 86/100 and is ranked #8 in Illinois and #241 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Park Ridge could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that Park Ridge ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Park Ridge has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (A-), crime (A+), education (A-) and housing (A). Park Ridge does not rank well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Park Ridge, the unemployment rate stands at 2.05%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Park Ridge market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Park Ridge are simply unattainable. The median home price for Park Ridge homes is $451,200, which is 158.1% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Park Ridge, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 33.3% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Park Ridge

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Compare Park Ridge, IL Livability

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      Park Ridge transportation information

      Statistic Park Ridge Illinois National
      Average one way commute30min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work67.4%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit12.4%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home10.2%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Park Ridge, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).