Living in Champaign, IL offers a vibrant blend of urban amenities and Midwestern charm. Known as the 'Hub of Central Illinois,' Champaign is home to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which brings a youthful energy and diverse cultural scene to the city. The university’s Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is a cultural gem, offering a wide array of performances, from theater and dance to world-class music concerts.
Champaign’s downtown area is a lively hub with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The city’s culinary scene is diverse, offering everything from farm-to-table dining to international cuisine. The annual Urbana Sweetcorn Festival is a local favorite, celebrating the region’s agricultural roots with food, music, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Champaign offers plenty of green spaces and recreational opportunities. The sprawling Meadowbrook Park features walking trails, gardens, and public art installations, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and leisure. The city’s numerous parks, including Hessel Park and Centennial Park, provide facilities for sports, picnics, and community events.
Champaign’s location in the heart of Illinois makes it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding areas, with easy access to major highways and transportation options. The city is also known for its strong sense of community, with numerous events and festivals throughout the year that bring residents together.
For those considering a move to Illinois, Champaign offers a perfect blend of academic excellence, cultural vibrancy, and community spirit. Whether you're drawn by its university atmosphere, outdoor activities, or friendly community, living in Champaign, IL provides a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
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.
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.
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
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.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Located in the state of Illinois, Champaign is a mid-sized city with a population of 90,911 people. With a population density of 3,986 people per square mile, Champaign is well above the nation's average density level. Champaign could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 27 years old is below the nation’s average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 37% of the Champaign population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Champaign. With an average one way commute time of only 15 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Champaign, Illinois could be a fulfilling 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Champaign, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, education and more.
The livability score in Champaign is 83 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. This is a phenomenal score, as Champaign ranks well in multiple categories! The cherry on top is that Champaign also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Champaign has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (B+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Champaign does not rank well for, including: crime (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
Living in Champaign offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Champaign provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Memorial Stadium, Krannert Art Museum, and The Art Theater.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Champaign apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Champaign 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 Champaign. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Champaign are simply unattainable. The median home price for Champaign homes is $294,862, which is 4.4% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Champaign, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 14.3% 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 | Champaign | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 15min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 65.2% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.3% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 6.4% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.1% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 10.0% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.9% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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