Vernon Hills 80 Exceptional
Vernon Hills Livability #106 ranked city in Illinois#1,793 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Vernon Hills

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Vernon Hills?

Located in the state of Illinois, Vernon Hills is a moderately-sized city with a population of 27,417 residents. In Vernon Hills, there are 3,567 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 66% of Vernon Hills residents are White, 24% Asian and 1% Black. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Vernon Hills, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 29 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Vernon Hills, 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. With useful information like commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Vernon Hills and in the areas around Vernon Hills is a much easier task.

The livability score in Vernon Hills is 79 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 93rd percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Vernon Hills is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Vernon Hills also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Vernon Hills has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (A+), crime (A+), education (A) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Vernon Hills, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: cost of living (F).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Vernon Hills, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Vernon Hills undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Vernon Hills, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 60 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Vernon Hills has an unemployment rate of 2.3% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Vernon Hills has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

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 Vernon Hills is actually affordable. The median home price for Vernon Hills homes is $619,248, which is 100.7% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Vernon Hills, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 17.1% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Vernon Hills

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      Vernon Hills transportation information

      Statistic Vernon Hills Illinois National
      Average one way commute29min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.7%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.3%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home13.2%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Vernon Hills, 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.