Summit 73 Excellent
Summit Livability #267 ranked city in Illinois#5,174 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Summit

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living 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.

  • Housing 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.

CONS
  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Summit?

Summit, Illinois is a medium-sized city with a population of 11,472 inhabitants. In Summit, there are 5,414 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Summit identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 65% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Summit could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 32 years old is below the nation’s average. 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 Summit entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 31 minutes.

Living in Summit can be a good experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many desirable 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, you can easily compare the best places to live in Summit and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Summit to Illinois and the national average.

With a livability score of 73/100, Summit is ranked #4,891 in the United States and #247 in Illinois. Based on the grades for each individual category, Summit has received high marks for cost of living (B-) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Summit does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (D) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Summit 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Summit. 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 Summit are affordable. Median real estate prices in Summit come in at $327,997, which is 6.3% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Summit, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 34.3% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Summit

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Summit?

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Compare Summit, IL Livability

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      Summit transportation information

      Statistic Summit Illinois National
      Average one way commute31min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.3%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit6.9%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home2.0%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Summit, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.