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.
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.
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.
Park Forest is a mid-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 21,311 residents. With a population density of 4,295 people per square mile, Park Forest is well above the nation's average density level. According to Census, the majority (69%) of Park Forest residents identify as Black or African American followed by 25% White and 0% Asian. Park Forest is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 42% married, this city falls well below the national average. Something to be aware of when living in Park Forest are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 32 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Park Forest 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. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Park Forest and in the areas around Park Forest is a much easier task.
Park Forest, IL receives 76/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #172 in Illinois and #3,373 in the USA. This is a terrific score, as Park Forest ranks well in multiple categories! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Park Forest scores well for crime (B-), cost of living (A) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that did not score well in Park Forest. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F).
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Park Forest 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.
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 Park Forest is actually affordable. The median home price for Park Forest homes is $133,097, which is 56.9% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Park Forest, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.6, which is 54.3% 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 | Park Forest | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.1% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.3% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 9.5% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.5% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.4% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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