From Chicago’s iconic skyline and world-class museums to historic landmarks like Abraham Lincoln’s residence and the picturesque Starved Rock State Park, there are many causes to think about shifting to Illinois. If Illinois sounds just like the state for you, then you might also be interested in what cities match into your finances. For instance, the median residence sale value in Illinois is $285,900 as of April.
Don’t fear if that value doesn’t slot in your finances – we’ve bought choices that will help you discover a residence or residence that does. Redfin has rounded up an inventory of 10 of probably the most inexpensive locations to stay in Illinois – they usually all have a median residence sale value beneath $285,900. Let’s discover out which cities made the checklist.
#1: Decatur
Median residence value: $102,250
Common sale value per sq. foot: $75
Median family earnings: $45,404
Nearest main metro: Springfield (40 miles)
Decatur, IL properties on the market
Decatur, IL flats for lease
With a median residence sale value of $102,250, Decatur is available in at primary on our checklist of most inexpensive locations to stay in Illinois. There are about 70,500 residents residing on this mid-sized metropolis. For those who’re contemplating shifting to this space be sure that to go to Nelson Park the place you’ll discover a restaurant, amphitheater, and views of Lake Decatur, try Rock Springs Conservation Space, and stroll alongside the paths at Fairview Park.
#2: Peoria
Median residence value: $133,500
Common sale value per sq. foot: $86
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $924
Median family earnings: $51,736
Nearest main metro: Chicago (160 miles)
Peoria, IL properties on the market
Peoria, IL flats for lease
Coming in because the second most inexpensive metropolis to stay in Illinois is Peoria. When residing on this metropolis of 113,100 individuals, you possibly can discover Laura Bradley Park and the Forest Park Nature Heart, try the riverfront and downtown Peoria, and go to museums just like the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
#3: Springfield
Median residence value: $147,350
Common sale value per sq. foot: $90
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,030
Median family earnings: $54,164
Nearest main metro: St. Louis (96 miles)
Springfield, IL properties on the market
Springfield, IL flats for lease
About 114,400 individuals reside in Springfield, positioned in central Illinois. The median residence sale value is $147,350 which is about $140K lower than the median residence sale value in Illinois. Ensure that to go to the Illinois State Capitol constructing and take a look at historic websites like Lincoln House Nationwide Historic Website, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and Dana-Thomas Home State Historic Website. You too can spend the day at Lake Springfield for those who transfer to the third most inexpensive metropolis.
#4: Rockford
Median residence value: $165,000
Common sale value per sq. foot: $98
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $987
Median family earnings: $50,744
Rockford, IL properties on the market
Rockford, IL flats for lease
With a median residence sale value of $165,000, Rockford is the fourth on our checklist of most inexpensive locations to stay in Illinois. There are about 146,100 residents residing on this mid-sized metropolis. For those who’re contemplating shifting to this space be sure that to go to a number of the metropolis’s inexperienced areas just like the Anderson Japanese Gardens, the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, and the Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Backyard. Rockford additionally has an amazing downtown alongside the Rock River, the place you’ll discover native eating places and breweries, the Rockford Metropolis Market, and the Coronado Performing Arts Heart.
#5: Bloomington
Median residence value: $212,500
Common sale value per sq. foot: $112
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,012
Median family earnings: $66,861
Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)
Bloomington, IL properties on the market
Bloomington, IL flats for lease
One other noteworthy metropolis is Bloomington, the place you’ll discover the house costs are about $120K lower than the state’s common. Bloomington has about 78,700 residents and is a superb metropolis to think about shopping for a house this 12 months. There are many actions to do on this metropolis. You may go to the museums and historic spots just like the McLean County Museum of Historical past and David Davis Mansion, try Miller Park and the Miller Park Zoo, and golf at one of many programs, amongst many different native favorites.
#6: Waukegan
Median residence value: $234,000
Common sale value per sq. foot: $178
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,385
Median family earnings: $66,077
Nearest main metro: Chicago (45 miles)
Waukegan, IL properties on the market
Waukegan, IL flats for lease
Sixth on our checklist is Waukegan, positioned alongside Lake Michigan. House to about 87,600 residents, Waukegan is an superior inexpensive lakefront metropolis to stay in. For instance, you possibly can get pleasure from Waukegan Municipal Seaside the place you’ll discover the Waukegan Dunes and the Waukegan Harbor Mild. Waukegan additionally has loads of landmarks just like the Genesee Theatre and inexperienced areas like Waukegan Savanna Forest Protect and the Illinois Seaside Nature Protect.
#7: Champaign
Median residence value: $237,000
Common sale value per sq. foot: $148
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,155
Median family earnings: $51,736
Nearest main metro: Springfield (86 miles)
Champaign, IL properties on the market
Champaign, IL flats for lease
Solely barely costlier than Waukegan is Champaign, the following metropolis on our checklist. With roughly 88,300 residents in Champaign, be sure that to take a look at one of many parks like Kaufman Lake, discover downtown Champaign, and go to the College of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.
#8: Oak Garden
Median residence value: $245,000
Common sale value per sq. foot: $173
Median family earnings: $69,352
Nearest main metro: Chicago (25 miles)
Oak Garden, IL properties on the market
Oak Garden, IL flats for lease
Subsequent on our checklist of inexpensive locations to stay in Illinois is Oak Garden. With a inhabitants of near 58,400, Oak Garden is a superb space to stay in that’s not almost as massive as the foremost metropolitan cities in Illinois. It’s additionally conveniently positioned simply southwest of Chicago. If you end up shifting to this metropolis be sure that to discover the Wolfe Wildlife Park the place you’ll discover trails and nature preserves, and take a look at the native eating places.
#9: Regular
Median residence value: $265,000
Common sale value per sq. foot: $121
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,225
Median family earnings: $51,736
Nearest main metro: Peoria (38 miles)
Regular, IL properties on the market
Regular, IL flats for lease
Think about including Regular to your checklist of cities to take a look at to for those who’re searching for an inexpensive place to stay in Illinois. With 52,700 individuals residing on this inexpensive city, you possibly can try the Illinois State College campus, and go to a number of the historic spots and parks on the town.
#10: Joliet
Median residence value: $285,500
Common sale value per sq. foot: $177
Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,235
Median family earnings: $72,871
Nearest main metro: Chicago (48 miles)
Joliet, IL properties on the market
Joliet, IL flats for lease
The ultimate metropolis on our checklist of inexpensive locations to stay in Illinois is Joliet. House to about 150,400 residents, Joliet is a superb possibility to think about. A number of the points of interest in Joliet embody visiting the Joliet Space Historic Museum, stopping by the Rialto Sq. Theatre, and trying out Historic Route 66.
Methodology: All cities should have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median residence sale value beneath the typical median residence sale value in Illinois. Median residence sale value and median sale value per sq. foot from the Redfin Knowledge Heart throughout April 2025. Common rental information from Lease.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family earnings information sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
