Chicago, Illinois is a big city with a population of 2,714,017 residents. In Chicago, there are 11,938 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Chicago is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (49%) and Black or African American (31%). Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Chicago are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 25% of the population also speak Spanish.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Chicago, Illinois could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Chicago and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, education, housing and other important metrics.
Chicago has a livability score of 74 out of 100 and is ranked #183 in Illinois and #3,667 in the USA. There are seven total categories that create the livability score. Chicago ranks well for employment (B-) and housing (B-). The bad news for Chicago, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F), cost of living (D) and education (D).
Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, shops, etc., Chicago has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. If you’re planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, it’s nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Chicago: Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, and John Hancock Center / Observatory.
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, Chicago has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Chicago 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 Chicago. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Chicago are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Chicago come in at $225,200, which is 28.8% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Chicago, the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 50% higher than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Chicago | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 34min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 49.5% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.2% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 27.8% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.7% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.5% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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