Niles 82 Exceptional
Niles Livability #59 ranked city in Illinois#1,156 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Niles

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    There are no cons to mention for this area, as all of the categories were rated above average.

What's it like Living in Niles?

Located in the state of Illinois, Niles is a mid-sized city with a population of 30,019 residents. With a population density of 5,135 people per square mile, Niles is well above the nation's average density level. At 71%, the majority of the Niles population is White; this is followed by 19% Asian and 3% Black. In Niles, there seems to be a shift in population towards an older age group. The average age of the population is now 48, which is significantly higher than the nation’s average. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Niles, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 29 minutes.

Living in Niles can be a good experience for anyone moving to the area. 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Niles and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Niles to Illinois and the national average.

The livability score in Niles is 81 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 95th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the US average, Niles ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Niles has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Niles ranks very well for amenities (A), crime (B+), employment (A-) and housing (A-). Niles does not do well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Niles, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Niles undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Leaning Tower of Niles, King Spa & Sauna, and Sky High Sports Niles.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Niles has a violent crime rate of 55 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Niles has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Niles real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Niles. Median real estate prices in Niles come in at $528,187, which is 71.2% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Niles, the home price to income ratio is 5.6, which is 60% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Niles

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      Niles transportation information

      Statistic Niles Illinois National
      Average one way commute29min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.4%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.9%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.7%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.2%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Niles, 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.