Western Springs 89 Exceptional
Western Springs Livability #7 ranked city in Illinois#143 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Western Springs

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • 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.

  • 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.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Western Springs?

Western Springs is a mid-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 13,775 inhabitants. In Western Springs, there are 4,939 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Western Springs is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Western Springs has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 77% of the population is classified as married and 47% have kids. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Western Springs offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 31 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Western Springs 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Western Springs, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing and more.

Using data and statistics Western Springs has received a livability score of 89/100. This score is ranked in the 99th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Western Springs is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Western Springs has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Western Springs has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A+), crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A+). Western Springs does not fare well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Western Springs has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Western Springs has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives.

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. Western Springs gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 8 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The Western Springs unemployment rate of 1.7% 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.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Western Springs schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 74%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Western Springs an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

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, Western Springs 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 Western Springs. 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 Western Springs are affordable. The median home price for Western Springs homes is $1,081,792, which is 250.6% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Western Springs, we’ll see that 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 Western Springs

See all the best places to live around Western Springs

How Do You Rate The Livability In Western Springs?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Western Springs, IL Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Western Springs transportation information

      Statistic Western Springs Illinois National
      Average one way commute31min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work64.0%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool2.7%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit17.5%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home12.7%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Western Springs, 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.