Island Lake 81 Exceptional
Island Lake Livability #84 ranked city in Illinois#1,369 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Island Lake

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

What's it like Living in Island Lake?

Island Lake is a small-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 8,403 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (92% White). Given that fact, Island Lake could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Island Lake entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 35 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Island Lake is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Island Lake and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Island Lake to Illinois and the national average.

Using data and statistics Island Lake has received a livability score of 77 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 91st percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Island Lake is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Another exciting tidbit, is that Island Lake ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Island Lake has higher than average grades for the following: crime (B-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Island Lake. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Island Lake gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 63 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

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 Island Lake 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.

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 Island Lake is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Island Lake come in at $328,567, which is 6.5% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Island Lake, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 25.7% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Island Lake

See all the best places to live around Island Lake

How Do You Rate The Livability In Island Lake?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Island Lake, IL Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Island Lake transportation information

      Statistic Island Lake Illinois National
      Average one way commute35min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.9%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.6%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.4%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home8.5%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Island Lake, 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.