
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
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.
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.
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.
There are no cons to mention for this area, as all of the categories were rated above average.
Located in the state of Illinois, Oak Lawn is a moderately-sized city with a population of 57,180 inhabitants. Oak Lawn has a population density of 6,671 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Oak Lawn is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. An important consideration when living in Oak Lawn is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 35 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Oak Lawn 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Oak Lawn and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Oak Lawn to Illinois and the national average.
Oak Lawn, IL receives 79/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #88 in Illinois and #1,677 in the USA. This is a phenomenal score, as Oak Lawn ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that Oak Lawn ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Oak Lawn scores well for crime (A), employment (A-) and housing (A+)
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 Oak Lawn, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 180 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, Oak Lawn has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Oak Lawn are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Oak Lawn come in at $385,232, which is 24.8% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Oak Lawn, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 5.7% higher than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Oak Lawn | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 35min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.9% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.1% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.3% | 4.4% | 4.6% |