Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
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.
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.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Schools
The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of Illinois, North Chicago is a mid-sized city with a population of 30,865 residents. With a population density of 3,862 people per square mile, North Chicago is well above the nation's average density level. North Chicago is mostly populated by White (44%) and Black or African American (26%) ethnic groups. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of North Chicago are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 26% of the population also speak Spanish. North Chicago could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 24 years old is below the nation’s average. North Chicago is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 33%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in North Chicago will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 18 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in North Chicago could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to look. 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. Finding the best places to live in North Chicago and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, education and other important metrics.
North Chicago, IL receives 74 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #211 in Illinois and #3,995 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that North Chicago ranks very well for cost of living (B+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for North Chicago, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (D) and education (F).
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of North Chicago, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 178 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms 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, North Chicago has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to North Chicago is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in North Chicago come in at $190,433, which is 38.3% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In North Chicago, the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 22.9% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | North Chicago | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 44.1% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.8% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.0% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 22.3% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 19.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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