Oswego 78 Exceptional
Oswego Livability #114 ranked city in Illinois#2,166 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Oswego

PROS
  • 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

    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

    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.

CONS
  • 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.

  • Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

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What's it like Living in Oswego?

Located in the state of Illinois, Oswego is a medium-sized city with a population of 35,470 residents. At 79%, the majority of the Oswego population is White; this is followed by 7% Black and 3% Asian. 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 Oswego entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 32 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Oswego, 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, crime, cost of living, commute, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Oswego and in the areas around Oswego is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Oswego has received a livability score of 79 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 94th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the United States average, Oswego ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Oswego also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we examine each of the categories on their own, we see that Oswego ranks well for crime (A+), education (B-) and housing (A+). Oswego does not fare well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (D). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

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. Oswego gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 89 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Oswego has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.79%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Oswego can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

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 Oswego is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Oswego come in at $254,200, which is 45.4% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Oswego, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Oswego

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Compare Oswego, IL Livability

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      Oswego transportation information

      Statistic Oswego Illinois National
      Average one way commute32min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.0%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.5%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.3%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.5%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home8.6%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Oswego, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).