Murphysboro 54 Below average
Murphysboro Livability #1,265 ranked city in Illinois#23,786 ranked city in the USARanks better than 18% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Murphysboro

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.

  • 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.

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.

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Murphysboro?

Murphysboro is a small-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 7,983 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Murphysboro is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Murphysboro will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Murphysboro, 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. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Murphysboro and in the areas around Murphysboro is a much easier task.

Murphysboro has a livability score of 54 out of 100 and is ranked #1,282 in Illinois and #23,979 in the USA. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. Based on the scores for each individual category, Murphysboro has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). The bad news for Murphysboro, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).

In today's ever-changing economic climate, pursuing a cost-effective lifestyle takes on heightened importance, particularly with the continual increase in prices for everyday necessities. When living in Murphysboro, residents are privileged to experience a cost of living that stands 20.58% below the national average. This advantageous position has a far-reaching impact, spanning a wide array of expenditures, encompassing not just goods and services, but also housing, groceries, and transportation costs. As a result, this area emerges as a central hub where your financial resources yield greater value, allowing for the maintenance of an economically sustainable lifestyle. This affordability holds exceptional significance in an era characterized by mounting expenses, making Murphysboro an attractive destination for individuals seeking financial prudence without compromising their quality of life.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Murphysboro 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 Murphysboro. 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 Murphysboro are affordable. The median home price for Murphysboro homes is $122,792, which is 60.2% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Murphysboro, we’ll see that 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 Murphysboro

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Murphysboro?

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Compare Murphysboro, IL Livability

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      Murphysboro transportation information

      Statistic Murphysboro Illinois National
      Average one way commute19min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.7%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.3%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Murphysboro, 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.