West Chicago 64 Average
West Chicago Livability #713 ranked city in Illinois#14,559 ranked city in the USARanks better than 50% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in West Chicago

PROS
  • Crime 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 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 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 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 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.

  • 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 West Chicago?

West Chicago, Illinois is a moderately-sized city with a population of 27,740 inhabitants. More than a quarter of the residents of West Chicago identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 46% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in West Chicago, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in West Chicago could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. 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. The best areas in West Chicago and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from commute, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

West Chicago has a livability score of 60 out of 100 and is ranked #980 in Illinois and #18,296 in the USA. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in West Chicago may not be a pleasant experience. Based on the rankings for each individual category, West Chicago has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B-), employment (A-) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, West Chicago does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F), cost of living (D-) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can 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. West Chicago gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 184 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than 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. West Chicago 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.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to West Chicago is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in West Chicago come in at $448,360, which is 45.3% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In West Chicago, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 11.4% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around West Chicago

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      West Chicago transportation information

      Statistic West Chicago Illinois National
      Average one way commute26min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.9%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.6%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The West Chicago, 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.