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 medium-sized city with a population of 88,288 people. With a population density of 3,840 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. In Champaign, only 37% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Champaign will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 15 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Champaign could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to look. 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. Finding the best places to live in Champaign and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.
The livability score in Champaign is 81 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Champaign could be a great choice! Champaign also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Champaign scores well for amenities (B+), cost of living (A+) and housing (B+) The bad news for Champaign, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F).
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. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Memorial Stadium, Krannert Art Museum, and The Art Theater.
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, Champaign has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Champaign real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Champaign. Median real estate prices in Champaign come in at $167,000, which is 4.5% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Champaign, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 13.3% higher than the Illinois average.
| 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% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Illinois
These are the largest cities in Illinois
Check out the 10 safest cities in Illinois