Braidwood 74 Excellent
Braidwood Livability #251 ranked city in Illinois#4,654 ranked city in the USARanks better than 84% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Braidwood

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime 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.

  • Housing 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities 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.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

What's it like Living in Braidwood?

Braidwood is a small-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 6,545 people. At 97%, the majority of the Braidwood population is White; this is followed by 0% Black and 0% Asian. 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 Braidwood, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 28 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Braidwood 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. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Braidwood and in the areas around Braidwood is a much easier task.

Braidwood, IL receives 73 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #246 in Illinois and #4,865 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Braidwood has received high marks for crime (A+), cost of living (A), employment (B) and housing (A+). The bad news for Braidwood, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

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. Braidwood gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 65 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

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 Braidwood 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Braidwood. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Braidwood are affordable. The median home price for Braidwood homes is $306,947, which is 0.5% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Braidwood, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 11.4% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Braidwood

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Compare Braidwood, IL Livability

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      Braidwood transportation information

      Statistic Braidwood Illinois National
      Average one way commute28min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work90.9%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home2.0%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Braidwood, 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.