Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Schools
High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Arlington Heights is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 77,990 inhabitants. With a population density of 4,698 people per square mile, Arlington Heights is well above the nation's average density level. At 81%, the majority of the Arlington Heights population is White; this is followed by 10% Asian and 2% 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 Arlington Heights offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Arlington Heights 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Arlington Heights, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, housing and more.
Arlington Heights, IL receives 80/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #71 in Illinois and #1,368 in the USA. This is a fantastic score, as Arlington Heights ranks well in multiple categories! Arlington Heights is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Arlington Heights scores well for crime (A+), education (A-) and housing (A+) Arlington Heights does not score well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Arlington Heights shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 50 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Arlington Heights can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Arlington Heights are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Arlington Heights come in at $643,163, which is 108.4% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Arlington Heights, the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 22.9% higher than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Arlington Heights | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.5% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.1% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 6.1% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.3% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Illinois
See the best places to live in Arlington Heights
Most Dangerous Cities In The US