10 Most Inexpensive Locations to Dwell in Illinois in 2025

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 contemplate transferring to Illinois. If Illinois sounds just like the state for you, then you may additionally be interested in what cities match into your price range. 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 price range – we’ve received choices that will help you discover a residence or condominium that does. Redfin has rounded up an inventory of 10 of essentially the most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois – they usually all have a median residence sale value underneath $285,900. Let’s discover out which cities made the listing.

#1: Decatur

Median residence value: $102,250
Common sale value per sq. foot: $75 
Median family revenue: $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 listing of most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 70,500 residents dwelling on this mid-sized metropolis.  Should you’re contemplating transferring to this space make sure that to go to Nelson Park the place you’ll discover a restaurant, amphitheater, and views of Lake Decatur, take a look at 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 condominium: $924
Median family revenue: $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 reasonably priced metropolis to dwell in Illinois is Peoria. When dwelling on this metropolis of 113,100 individuals, you’ll be able to discover Laura Bradley Park and the Forest Park Nature Heart, take a look at 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 condominium: $1,030
Median family revenue: $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. Make sure that to go to the Illinois State Capitol constructing and take a look at historic websites like Lincoln Dwelling Nationwide Historic Web site, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and Dana-Thomas Home State Historic Web site. You can too spend the day at Lake Springfield should you transfer to the third most reasonably priced metropolis.

#4: Rockford

Median residence value: $165,000
Common sale value per sq. foot: $98
Common lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $987
Median family revenue: $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 listing of most reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois. There are about 146,100 residents dwelling on this mid-sized metropolis.  Should you’re contemplating transferring to this space make 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 incredible 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 condominium: $1,012
Median family revenue: $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 good metropolis to contemplate 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, take a look at 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 condominium: $1,385
Median family revenue: $66,077
Nearest main metro: Chicago (45 miles)
Waukegan, IL properties on the market
Waukegan, IL flats for lease

Sixth on our listing is Waukegan, positioned alongside Lake Michigan. Dwelling to about 87,600 residents, Waukegan is an superior reasonably priced lakefront metropolis to dwell in. For instance, you’ll be able to get pleasure from Waukegan Municipal Seashore 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 Seashore Nature Protect. 

#7: Champaign

Median residence value: $237,000
Common sale value per sq. foot: $148
Common lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,155
Median family revenue: $51,736
Nearest main metro: Springfield (86 miles)
Champaign, IL properties on the market
Champaign, IL flats for lease

Solely barely dearer than Waukegan is Champaign, the subsequent metropolis on our listing. With roughly 88,300 residents in Champaign, make 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 revenue: $69,352 
Nearest main metro: Chicago (25 miles)
Oak Garden, IL properties on the market
Oak Garden, IL flats for lease

Subsequent on our listing of reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois is Oak Garden. With a inhabitants of near 58,400, Oak Garden is a good space to dwell in that’s not almost as huge as the most important metropolitan cities in Illinois. It’s additionally conveniently positioned simply southwest of Chicago. If you end up transferring to this metropolis make 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 condominium: $1,225
Median family revenue: $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 listing of cities to take a look at to should you’re searching for an reasonably priced place to dwell in Illinois. With 52,700 individuals dwelling on this reasonably priced city, you’ll be able to take a look at 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 condominium: $1,235 
Median family revenue: $72,871 
Nearest main metro: Chicago (48 miles)
Joliet, IL properties on the market
Joliet, IL flats for lease

The ultimate metropolis on our listing of reasonably priced locations to dwell in Illinois is Joliet. Dwelling to about 150,400 residents, Joliet is a good possibility to contemplate. A few of the points of interest in Joliet embody visiting the Joliet Space Historic Museum, stopping by the Rialto Sq. Theatre, and testing Historic Route 66.

Methodology: All cities will need to have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median residence sale value underneath the common 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 revenue information sourced from the United States Census Bureau.