Highwood 83 Exceptional
Highwood Livability #59 ranked city in Illinois#1,042 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Highwood

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
  • 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.

What's it like Living in Highwood?

Located in the state of Illinois, Highwood is a smaller city with a population of 5,399 people. Highwood has a population density of 7,497 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. According to the most recent Census, 71% of Highwood residents are White, 6% Black and 1% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Highwood are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 39% of the population also speak Spanish. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Highwood is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 28 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Highwood can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Highwood, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, employment, housing and more.

Using data and statistics Highwood has received a livability score of 80/100. This score is ranked in the 95th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Highwood would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Highwood ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we see that Highwood ranks very well for crime (A+), employment (A+) and housing (B+). There are some categories that Highwood does not rank well for, including: cost of living (F) and education (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

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 Highwood 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.

Assuming that Highwood 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 Highwood. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Highwood are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Highwood come in at $689,849, which is 123.6% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Highwood, the home price to income ratio is 6.1, which is 74.3% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Highwood

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Compare Highwood, IL Livability

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      Highwood transportation information

      Statistic Highwood Illinois National
      Average one way commute28min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work67.3%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.3%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit7.6%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.2%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.2%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home7.8%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Highwood, 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.