Decatur 59 Below average
Decatur Livability #1,076 ranked city in Illinois#20,533 ranked city in the USARanks better than 29% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Decatur

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Decatur?

Located in the state of Illinois, Decatur is a mid-sized city with a population of 74,163 residents. At 70%, the majority of the Decatur population is White; this is followed by 23% Black and 1% Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 49% of the Decatur population is married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Decatur is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Decatur, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Decatur and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Decatur to Illinois and the national average.

Decatur has a livability score of 58 out of 100 and is ranked #1,073 in Illinois and #20,003 in the USA. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in Decatur may not be a pleasant experience. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Decatur ranks well for housing (A+). On a more negative note, Decatur does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Decatur excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Decatur. 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 Decatur are affordable. Median real estate prices in Decatur come in at $152,582, which is 50.6% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Decatur, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 37.1% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Decatur

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Compare Decatur, IL Livability

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      Decatur transportation information

      Statistic Decatur Illinois National
      Average one way commute17min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.9%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.7%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Decatur, 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.