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.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Located in the state of Illinois, Ottawa is a mid-sized city with a population of 19,177 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (91% White). Given that fact, Ottawa could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Ottawa is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Ottawa is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Ottawa and in the areas around Ottawa is a much easier task.
Ottawa has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #143 in Illinois and #2,885 in the USA. Clearly, Ottawa is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Another exciting tidbit, is that Ottawa ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we see that Ottawa ranks very well for crime (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). There is at least one category that did not score well in Ottawa. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (D) and education (D).
Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 187 crimes per 100,000 residents, Ottawa has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Ottawa 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 Ottawa. 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 Ottawa are affordable. The median home price for Ottawa homes is $220,742, which is 28.5% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Ottawa, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 20% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Ottawa | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.2% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.9% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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