St. Joseph 75 Excellent
St. Joseph Livability #179 ranked city in Illinois#3,526 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in St. Joseph

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

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What's it like Living in St. Joseph?

St. Joseph, Illinois is a small city with a population of 4,053 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (98% White). Given that fact, St. Joseph could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make St. Joseph your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in St. Joseph can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in St. Joseph and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

With a livability score of 73/100, St. Joseph is ranked #4,086 in the United States and #202 in Illinois. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that St. Joseph has higher than average scores for the following: crime (B), cost of living (A+), education (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for St. Joseph, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

The St. Joseph unemployment rate of 1.59% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

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, St. Joseph has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in St. Joseph. 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 St. Joseph are affordable. Median real estate prices in St. Joseph come in at $194,800, which is 11.4% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In St. Joseph, the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 30% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Joseph

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Compare St. Joseph, IL Livability

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      St. Joseph transportation information

      Statistic St. Joseph Illinois National
      Average one way commute24min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.9%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.1%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home11.6%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The St. Joseph, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).