Geneva 82 Exceptional
Geneva Livability #52 ranked city in Illinois#1,078 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Geneva

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

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.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • 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 Geneva?

Geneva is a medium-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 22,487 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Geneva is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Something to be aware of when living in Geneva are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 31 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Geneva 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. The best areas in Geneva and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

Geneva, IL receives 80 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #75 in Illinois and #1,387 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Geneva could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Geneva 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 Geneva has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A+), education (B) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Geneva does not rank well for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 62 crimes per 100,000 residents, Geneva has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

The unemployment rate in Geneva has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Geneva 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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Geneva is actually affordable. The median home price for Geneva homes is $628,085, which is 103.6% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Geneva, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.9% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Geneva

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      Geneva transportation information

      Statistic Geneva Illinois National
      Average one way commute31min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.8%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit6.5%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home13.9%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Geneva, 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.