Cheapest Places to Live in Illinois (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in Illinois? We ranked 21 Illinois cities by median home value. The cheapest is East Saint Louis (~$48,000); the Illinois median is $197,000.
Most affordable cities in Illinois
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Saint Louis | $48,000 | $30 |
| 2 | Decatur | $99,000 | $82 |
| 3 | Peoria | $120,000 | $81 |
| 4 | Danville | $127,500 | $94 |
| 5 | Rockford | $172,500 | $131 |
| 6 | Greenville | $173,000 | $114 |
| 7 | Belleville | $181,000 | $124 |
| 8 | Carbondale | $195,000 | $130 |
| 9 | Champaign | $204,000 | $176 |
| 10 | Springfield | $233,000 | $141 |
Most expensive cities in Illinois
The priciest Illinois markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | $629,500 | $275 |
| 2 | Evanston | $579,000 | $319 |
| 3 | Oak Park | $465,000 | $268 |
| 4 | Plainfield | $392,000 | $212 |
| 5 | Schaumburg | $370,500 | $270 |
| 6 | Aurora | $353,000 | $213 |
| 7 | Hoffman Estates | $349,000 | $239 |
| 8 | Chicago | $334,500 | $256 |
| 9 | Bloomington | $328,000 | $136 |
| 10 | Elgin | $315,000 | $203 |
How we rank Illinois cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all Illinois home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
Illinois affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in Illinois? +
Based on median home value, East Saint Louis is among the most affordable cities in Illinois, with a typical home around $48,000 — well below the Illinois median of $197,000.
What is the most expensive city in Illinois? +
By median home value, Naperville is among the priciest in Illinois, with a typical home around $629,500.
Is Illinois an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Illinois is about $197,000 (32% more affordable than the U.S. median of $289,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $48,000 to $629,500.