Best Places To Live In Illinois For Families
Best places to live in Illinois are 1) Park Ridge, 2) Glenview, 3) Long Grove, and more. Libertyville and Downers Grove are the safest places for family.
Raising kids and taking care of the family are two of the most challenging tasks a person undertakes in their life. Parenting requires years of patience and determination on an adult's part.
The safety of kids and women is one of the greatest factors in determining if a place is worth settling down. No person of sound mind wants their family to live in an unsafe neighborhood where violent crimes regularly occur.
If you live in Illinois or planning to move to the state with your family, we've got you covered. Best known for the automotive industries, the Democratic stronghold offers a safe and friendly environment for people looking to settle down.
The state has a population of 12.67 million, according to a 2021 census, and a population density of 230 individuals per sq. mile. It is the 25th largest US state with an area of 57,918 sq. miles.
We've prepared a top 10 list of the best places to live in Illinois. To determine the ideal locations, we have used factors like the availability of schools, cost of living, average household income, and crime rate. The average cost of living is calculated with respect to a family of four.
Similar: 10 Best Cities To Visit For Families In USA
Best Suburbs In Illinois To Raise A Family
| Name | School Rating [GreatSchools.org] |
| 1. Park Ridge | 9/10 |
| 2. Glenview | 9/10 |
| 3. Long Grove | 8/10 |
| 4. Naperville | 9/10 |
| 5. Wheaton | 9/10 |
| 6. Libertyville | 9/10 |
| 7. Downers Grove | 8.5/10 |
| 8. Buffalo Grove | 9/10 |
| 9. Evanston | 9/10 |
| 10. Oak Park | 8.5/10 |
1. Park Ridge
Average Cost of Living: $4590 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $163,135 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 9/10
Crime Rate: 7.14
Park Ridge is a suburb located in Cook County, Illinois. It has an area of 7.13 sq. miles and a population of 39,656, according to a census conducted in 2020.
The city is known for housing 10 preschools, 16 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and six high schools. Its best-reviewed public schools include Maine South High School, Maine East High School, Lincoln Middle School, Franklin Elementary School, and Eugene Field Elementary School. It has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the state at above 94 percent.
Park Ridge also has several tourist attractions like the Pickwick Theatre, Park Ridge Farmers Market, The Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower, Wrigley Field, Shedd Aquarium, and Lincoln Park Zoo.
Rich in cultural diversity, the town offers some of the best restaurants in Illinois, including Tavern on the Point, Lola's Diner, Pennyville Station, Shakou Park Ridge, Reyes Steak House, and Goldy's Grill.
The Park Ridge Police Department is responsible for maintaining law and order in the city. Thanks to a great job done by the officers, Park Ridge has a low crime rate of 7.14 per 1000. It has a violent crime rate of 0.44 per 1000 and a property crime rate of 6.7 per 1000.
2. Glenview
Average Cost of Living: $4583 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $172,471 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 9/10
Crime Rate: 22.24 Per 1000
Glenview is a village situated in Cook County, Illinois. It has a population of 46,341 in 2023 and covers an area of 14.04 sq. miles, making it the 32nd biggest city in Illinois.
The village offers 26 preschools, 22 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and six high schools. Glenbrook South High School, Attea Middle School, Springman Middle School, and Avoca West Elementary School are some of the best-ranked public schools in the area.
The crime rate of Glenview is lower compared to the national average of 22.7 per 1000. It has a violent crime rate of 1.487 per 1000, a property crime rate of 15.24 per 1000, and other crime rates of 5.511 per 1000.
The cost of living in Glenview is estimated to be $2025 for a single person and $4583 for a family of four if rent is to be included. Without rent, the cost of living for a single person is $745, and for a family of four is $2448.
There are several fun and recreational activities to do and locations to visit in Glenview, Illinois. Some of the fun places to explore are the Kohl Children's Museum, The Grove, Gallery Park, Oil Lamp Theater, Flick Park, The Glen Club, Potato Creek Johnny's, Splash Landings Aquatic Center, and Chicago Illinois Temple.
The town also offers fine restaurants and diners like Hackney's on Harms, Cafe Lucci, Yard House, Don Bucio's Taqueria, Siunik Armenian Grill, and more.
Richest Suburbs In Illinois Outside Of Chicago
| Name | Annual Mean Income | |
| 1. | Winnetka | $417,007 |
| 2. | Kenilworth | $387,288 |
| 3. | Glencoe | $353,638 |
| 4. | Hinsdale | $340,370 |
| 5. | Bannockburn | $321,855 |
3. Long Grove
Average Cost of Living: $4779 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $148,150 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 8/10
Crime Rate: 10.61 Per 1000
Long Grove is a village community in Illinois covering an area of 12.715 sq. miles. It lies around 35 miles away from northwest Chicago.
The village currently has an estimated population of 8200 in 2023. It is an ideal place to raise kids as it lies in close proximity to several school districts, including the Diamond Lake School District 76, Fremont School District 79, Kildeer Countryside School District 96, Mundelein High School District 120, and Adlai E Stevenson High School District 125.
Within Long Grove, there are eight preschools, seven elementary schools, and one middle school but doesn't yet have a high school. Public institutions like Woodlawn Middle School, Kildeer Countryside Elementary School, and Country Meadows Elementary School are some of the high-rated schools in the region.
Further, Long Grove is also considered a relatively safe place. Although it is not totally safe for occasional violent crimes, it is considered peaceful when compared to the national average. Long Grove has an average crime rate of 10.61 per 1000 against the national average of 22.7.
The place is rich in architecture with plenty of parks, historic buildings, gardens, and cobblestone walks to visit. You can explore attractions like the Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve, Historic Downtown Long Grove, Ma & Pa's Candy, Valentine Vineyards & Winery, Sock Monkey Museum, and Kemper Lakes Golf Club.
Moreover, the town also houses several famous eateries like Enzo and Lucia, ClayOven Tandoor, Sunset Foods, Portillo's Arlington Heights, Broken Earth, and Pub 83.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the community. Sheriff John Idleburg is presently the head of the sheriff's office.
4. Naperville
Average Cost of Living: $5209 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $135,772 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 9/10
Crime Rate: 3.81 Per 1000
Naperville is a city in Illinois best known as Chicago's western suburb. It has an area of 39.70 sq. miles and a population of 149,104, according to a 2021 census.
Naperville is considered one of the best and safest places to settle in the US. Due to its low crime and accessibility to schools and businesses, the cost of living is slightly higher than in neighboring cities.
The city also has some of the best schools in Illinois and a high school graduation rate of 96%. Some of the best public schools located there are Ellsworth Elementary School, Prairie Elementary School, Lincoln Jr High School, Clifford Crone Middle School, Naperville North High School, and Neuqua Valley High School.
Naperville also has several locations for recreational activities like DuPage Children's Museum, Centennial Beach, Solemn Oath Brewery, Millenium Carillon, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, and so on.
Similarly, famous pubs and restaurants in the area include Jackson Avenue Pub, Old Town Pour House, Tap in Pub, Features Bar & Grill, Uncle Julio's Naperville, Santo Cielo, and Catch 35 Naperville.
Chief of Police Jason Arres currently leads the Naperville Police Department. The city has a low crime rate thanks to the cooperation between the police department and the citizens.
Safest Places In Illinois
| Name | Crime Rate [Per 1000] | |
| 1. | Naperville | 3.81 |
| 2. | Palatine | 4.5 |
| 3. | Park Ridge | 7.94 |
| 4. | Arlington Heights | 8.0 |
| 5. | Mount Prospect | 8.6 |
5. Wheaton
Average Cost of Living: $4876 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $137,203 [Annual]
GreatSchools.Org Rating: 9/10
Crime Rate: 9.75 Per 1000
Wheaton is a city in Illinois located within the Winfield and Milton Townships. It has an area of 11.48 sq. miles and a population of 53,970, according to a 2020 census.
The city offers 24 preschools, 25 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and eight high schools. Among them, the top-ranked public schools are Wheaton North High School, Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Franklin Middle School, Monroe Middle School, and Emerson Elementary School.
For recreation and entertainment, the town has Cantigny Park, First Division Museum at Cantigny, Cosley Zoo, Dry City Brew Works, Blackwell Forest Preserve, Illinois Prairie Path, and French Market.
You can also hang out at a local pub or restaurant. Some of the best-reviewed diners in the locale are Rosie O Reilly's, Sully's Place, Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant, Egg Harbor Cafe, GIA MIA Pizza Bar, and Warrens Ale House.
Wheaton has a low crime rate of 9.75 per 1000 with a violent crime rate of 0.81 per 1000 and a property crime rate of 8.94 per 1000.
Due to its low employment of 5.4%, the lowest in Illinois, the city has a relatively higher cost of living. However, the income earned by residents is enough to compensate for the higher cost of living.
The Wheaton Police Department is responsible for providing security and protection to its resident. It is currently headed by the Chief of Police William Murphy.
6. Libertyville
Average Cost of Living: $4411 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $153,674 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 9/10
Crime Rate: 10.54 Per 1000
Libertyville is a suburban village located in Lake County, Illinois.
For parents with young children, the town offers 21 preschools, 21 elementary schools, six middle schools, and four high schools. Libertyville High School, Oak Grove Elementary School, Highland Middle School, and Butterfield School are some of the best choices for your kids.
The town also provides multiple recreational and entertainment options like the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, Ultimate Ninjas Libertyville, Canlan Sports Libertyville, Aloha Falls Miniature Golf & Games, Independence Grove Forest Preserve, and Independence Grove Dog Park.
Similarly, some of the best-rated restaurants in Libertyville are Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe, Burt's Deli, Picnic Basket, Pizzeria Deville Libertyville, and Townee Square Restaurant.
The town is considered a safe place for families to live due to its low violent crime rates. The rate of violent crimes is 0.2 per thousand, whereas the property crime rate is 10.34 per 1000.
The Libertyville Police Department protects and serves its resident with utmost sincerity. The police department employs 48 sworn officers and civilian employees; Chief of Police Ed Roncone currently heads the department.
Affordable Places In Illinois
| Name | Average Rent [One-Bedroom] | |
| 1. | Rantoul | $453 |
| 2. | Charleston | $488 |
| 3. | Lincoln | $575 |
| 4. | Belleville | $610 |
| 5. | Champaign | $649 |
7. Downers Grove
Average Cost of Living: $4598 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $105,217 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 8.5/10
Crime Rate: 12.53 Per 1000
Downers Grove is a small town located in DuPage County, Illinois. It covered an area of 14.8 sq. miles and had a population of 50,247, according to the 2020 census.
For parents looking to raise children in a place with close proximity to schools, Downers Grove is an ideal choice. The town is home to 30 preschools, 28 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and seven high schools. Some of the best-rated public schools in the region are Belle Aire Elementary School, Lester Elementary School, Herrick Middle School, Lakeview Jr High School, and Community H S Dist 99 - North High School.
For fun and entertainment, residents can go to one of the many attractions, including Tivoli Theatre, Barth Pond, Hidden Lake Forrest Preserve, Downers Grove Park District, Ebersold Park, Goldfinger Brewing, and Fuzzy Logic Escape Room.
Downers Grove is also famous for its restaurants and pubs. Chama Gaucha Steakhouse, Parkers' Restaurant & Bar, Honey-Jam Cafe, The Capital Grille, and Greek Islands Restaurant West are some of the popular options for dining.
The Downers Grove PD is currently led by Michael DeVries who took charge on January 7, 2023. He has vowed to reduce crime and safeguard the city from violence and insecurity.
8. Buffalo Grove
Average Cost of Living: $5582 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $121,212 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 9/10
Crime Rate: 17.92 Per 1000
Buffalo Grove is a suburb located in Cook County, Illinois. Covering an area of 9.6 sq. miles, it is home to 43,212 residents.
The village is situated nearly 30 miles away from Downtown Chicago. On more than one occasion, it has been listed as one of the best places to reside in Illinois.
For recreational activities, residents can visit one of the many tourists' attractions like the Willow Stream Park, No Escape Room, Bowlero Buffalo Grove, Par-King Skill Golf, Rockin' Jump, Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion, Spray 'n Pla, and Buffalo Creek Forest Reserve.
Buffalo Grove also has several pubs and restaurants where residents can hang out after work or get a bite to eat. Prairie House Tavern, Buffalo Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Continental Restaurant, Taste of Tokyo, and Golden Durebak.
There are several affordable schools in the area if you looking for a place to raise kids. Some of the high-rated public schools in the neighborhood are Ivy Hall Elementary School, Prairie Elementary School, Meridian Middle School, Cooper Middle School, and Buffalo Grove High School.
The village is also safe from violent crimes with an average crime rate of 17.92 per thousand which is equal to about 1.792%. The Buffalo Grove Police Department currently employs 62 sworn police officers in addition to nine volunteers and 13 civilian employees.
Best Places In Illinois For Young Professionals
| Name | Unemployment Rate | |
| 1. | Waterloo | 3.1% |
| 2. | Western Springs | 3.3% |
| 3. | St. Charles | 3.7% |
| 4. | Washington | 3.7% |
| 5. | Winnetka | 3.9% |
9. Evanston
Average Cost of Living: $5426 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $146,516 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 9/10
Crime Rate: 23.01 Per 1000
Evanston is a suburb of Chicago located in Cook County, Illinois. It lies 12 miles away from Downtown Chicago on the North Shore adjacent to Lake Michigan.
According to a 2021 census, the city has a population of 77,517. It has an area of 7.8 sq. miles; 7.78 sq. miles is covered by land and 0.02 sq. miles is covered by water bodies.
The city has 41 preschools, 24 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and six high schools. The best-known schools in the area are Orrington Elementary School, Dewey Elementary School, Nichols Middle School, Chute Middle School, and Evanston Twp High School.
The Block Museum of Art located within Northwestern University is possibly the most famous attraction in all of Evanston. Besides that, the town also has many more recreational destinations to visit, including the Evanston History Center, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Grosse Point Lighthouse, American Toby Jug Museum, Evanston SPACE, and Clark Street Beach. For kids, there are 76 parks like Dawes Park, Lovelace Park, Clarkson Park, and more.
Moreover, Evanston also has some of the best diners in Illinois, including Bar Siena Old Orchard, El Tapeo, Tapas Barcelona, Bluestone, Peckish Pig, Lucky Platter, and Ten Mile House.
The Evanston Police Department is responsible for providing security to the residents. The Evanston PD is currently headed by Chief Chenita Stewart. The city is relatively safe due to regular police presence and awareness among citizens.
Best Places For Retirees In Illinois
| Name | Population | |
| 1. | Leland Grove | 1336 |
| 2. | Casey | 2422 |
| 3. | Lena | 2854 |
| 4. | Riverwoods | 3742 |
| 5. | Aledo | 3860 |
10. Oak Park
Average Cost of Living: $4604 [Per Month]
Average Household Income: $133,860 [Annual]
GreatSchools.org Rating: 8.5/10
Crime Rate: 31.42 Per 1000
Oak Park is a small village located in Cook County, Illinois. It covers an area of 4.69 sq. miles (12.17 sq. km) and had a population of 53,224 during its last census in 2021, making it the 26th most crowded place in Illinois.
The village is relatively safe with the Oak Park Police Department providing 24/7 protection to the residents. The region has a few rough neighborhoods, but most areas are considered safe for families.
According to GreatSchools.org, the top schools in the region are Horace Mann Elementary School, Whittier Elementary School, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, Percy Julian Middle School, and Oak Park & River Forest High School.
For recreation and entertainment, there are several places residents can visit, including Wonder Works Children's Museum, Oak Park Conservatory, Oak Park River Forest Museum, Downtown Oak Park, Oak Park, Festival Theatre, Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre, Scoville Park, Oak Park Farmers' Market, and more.
Similarly, for wining and dining, you can go to one of the many restaurants and bars. Some of the famous diners in the area include The Little Gem Cafe, Cucina Paradiso, Hemmingway's Bistro, Rustico, Papaspiros, and Poor Phil's Bar and Grill.
