Illinois attracts Americans from all over. And there are good reasons why: excellent healthcare, tax benefits, and cheaper rentals. You can’t go wrong with the Prairie State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $200,000. Charleston’s cost of living is 30.3% lower than the national average, and Hoopeston is 29.4% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Freeport’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $114K. Meanwhile, Belleville offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $139,816.
Cheapest Places to Live in Illinois in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Illinois. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living Compared to National Average | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hoopeston | $72,718 | $699 | 29.4% lower ⬇️ | $43,403 | 4,731 |
| 2. Decatur | $94,168 | $868 | 27.1% lower ⬇️ | $68,670 | 68,670 |
| 3. Granite City | $107,481 | $850 | 17.5% lower ⬇️ | $26,908 | 26,908 |
| 4.Freeport | $114,255 | $366 | 27.3% lower ⬇️ | $23,136 | 23,136 |
| 5. Clinton | $129,835 | $3,400 | 25% lower ⬇️ | $6,898 | 6,898 |
| 6. Charleston | $141,866 | $834 | 30.3% lower ⬇️ | $17,028 | 17,028 |
| 7. Belleville | $139,816 | $975 | 19.2% lower ⬇️ | $40,726 | 40,726 |
| 8. Peoria | $126,146 | $995 | 24.4% lower ⬇️ | $58,068 | 110,460 |
| 9. Bloomington | $244,782 | $1,300 | 17.9% lower ⬇️ | $73,119 | 78,587 |
| 10. Rockford | $160,500 | $1,100 | 21% lower ⬇️ | $50,744 | 146,120 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Illinois
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Prairie State:
#1 Hoopeston: $72,718
Hoopeston is one of the cheapest places to live in Illinois.
- Median house rent is $699 | Rental prices range between $539 and $850.
- Median home value of Hoopeston is $72,718.
- Cost of living in Hoopeston is 29.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Hoopeston, IL: 60942
Hoopeston offers affordable housing which is 82.9% lower than the national average. It is the cheapest city in Illinois to buy a house. You can get an estimate of your property with a free home worth estimator. For job seekers, Silgan Containers and Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services are the top employers.
» Hoopeston Homes for Sale: Find your cheap home in the Sweetcorn Capital of the World.
#2 Decatur: $94,168
Decatur is one of the most inexpensive places in Illinois to live.
- Median house rent is $868 | Rental prices range between $373 and $3,950.
- Median home value of Decatur is $94,168.
- Cost of living in Decatur is 27.1% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Decatur, IL: 62526 | 62521 | 62522
Decatur offers affordable healthcare which is 12% lower than the national average. The city is also known for Lake Land College and Parkland College, ensuring quality education for all residents. Besides this, DMH and Continental Carbonic Products are some major companies in the city.
» Decatur Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of cheapest apartments in Illinois.
#3 Granite City: $107,481
Granite City is one of the cheapest places to live in Illinois.
- Median house rent is $850 | Rental prices range between $500 and $1,400.
- Median home value of Granite City is $107,481.
- Cost of living in Granite City is 17.5% cheaper than the national average.
- 2 popular zips in Granite City, IL: 62040 | 62042
With rental costs below the national average, Granite City stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in Illinois. The house rent price is between $500 – $1,400. You can explore diverse culinary experiences with various dining options in the industrial city. Moreover, icon Mechanical and Riechmann Transport are the major companies that offer many job opportunities.
» Granite City Homes for Sale: Find cheap homes in Illinois.
#4 Freeport: $114,255
Freeport is one of the cheapest places to retire in Illinois.
- Median house rent is $366 | Rental prices range between $366 and $1,000.
- Median home value of Freeport is $114,255.
- Cost of living in Freeport is 27.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Freeport, IL: 61032
Freeport offers the cheapest rent in Illinois which is $366. Moreover, the transportation costs are 33.2% below the national average in the city. Freeport offers a mix of cultural attractions like Luecke’s Antique Mall and art museum, alongside parks and a focus on senior living options. The city also boasts a strong healthcare sector with Freeport Regional Health Care Center.
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#5 Clinton: $129,835
Clinton is an affordable city to live in Illinois.
- Median house rent is $3,400 | Rental prices range between $3,400 and $3,400.
- Median home value of Clinton is $129,835.
- Cost of living in Clinton is 25% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Clinton, IL: 61727
The largest city in DeWitt County, Clinton’s cost of living is 25% lower than the national average. The average food expenses are 2.6% below the national average. Apart from its affordability, Exelon and RRD are top companies in energy generation business and custom communications.
»Clinton Homes for Sale: Browse through thousands of affordable housing in Illinois.
#6 Charleston: $141,866
Charleston is an affordable city to live in Illinois.
- Median house rent is $834 | Rental prices range between $399 and $1,800.
- Median home value of Charleston is $141,866.
- Cost of living in Charleston is 30.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zips in Charleston, IL: 61920
With an average household income of $47,533, you can comfortably live in Charleston. The city has a major company like Vesuvius USA Corporation, for those seeking jobs. Apart from this, Charleston is a compelling real estate choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking affordable living in Illinois.
» Charleston Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the affordable apartments in Illinois.
#7 Belleville: $139,816
Belleville is a cheap city to live in IL.
- Median house rent is $975 | Rental prices range between $500 and $2,250.
- Median home value of Belleville is $139,816.
- Cost of living in Belleville is 19.2% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Belleville, IL: 62220 | 62221 | 62223
Belleville is one of the cheapest places to live in Illinois, with a monthly cost of food up to $532 individually. The city also provides diverse educational choices with institutions like Southwestern Illinois College and Lindenwood University-Belleville. This makes the city an attractive destination for families and students looking for educational opportunities.
» Belleville Homes for Sale: Get yourself cheap houses in Illinois.
#8 Peoria: $126,146
Peoria is a cheap city to live in IL.
- Median house rent is $995 | Rental prices range between $125 and $25,000.
- Median home value of Peoria is $126,146.
- Cost of living in Peoria is 24.4% cheaper than the Illinois average.
- 3 popular zips in Peoria, IL: 61603 | 61604 | 61602
Peoria one of the cheapest cities in Illinois offers an affordable cost of living with 24.4% lower than the national average. The transportation costs are also 26% lower compared to the US average. Moreover, RLI and OSF HealthCare are top employers in this city.
Peoria is also famous for Laura Bradley Park and the Forest Park Nature Center. So, if you are thinking of moving to Peoria it is a good option for families and young adults.
» Peoria Homes for Sale: Find cheapest homes in Illinois.
#9 Bloomington: $244,782
Bloomington is one of the cheap places to live in Illinois.
- Median house rent is $1,300 | Rental prices range between $575 and $3,800.
- Median home value of Bloomington is $244,782.
- Cost of living in Bloomington is 17.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Bloomington, IL: 61701 | 61704 | 61705
The median home price in Bloomington is 32% lower than the US average. Bloomington offers an affordable cost of living at 17.9% and transportation at 32.6% lower than the national average. Apart from this, the city has a growing job market at 8.12%. Additionally, Bloomington has two major employers State Farm and Illinois Farm Bureau that offer ample jobs for young adults.
» Bloomington Homes for Sale: Search homes in cheapest place to buy a house in Illinois.
#10 Rockford: $160,500
Rockford is the cheapest city to live in Illinois.
- Median house rent is $1,100 | Rental prices range between $1,300 and $8,500.
- Median home value of Rockford is $160,500.
- Cost of living in Rockford is 21% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Rockford, IL: 61107 | 61103 | 61108
The cost of living in Rockford is 21% lower than the national average. Besides this, the city has a steady job growth of 1.74%. Rockford is in proximity to a major city like Chicago. The transportation costs are also 17.5% lower than the national average. Apart from this, Haldex Hydraulics Corporation and Bergstrom boast many job opportunities.
» Rockford Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in the cheapest city in Illinois to buy a house.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Illinois?
If you want to move to Illinois, you will find cheap houses for sale in Illinois under 150K in cities like Hoopeston, Decatur, and Charleston. They also offer stable job opportunities, and a low cost of living which is more affordable than other Illinois cities.
Cities like Granite City and Belleville are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Illinois.
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Research Methodology
To rank the top cities in Illinois, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least expensive place to live in Illinois?
The cheapest place to live in Illinois is Hoopeston. It offers affordable transportation, which is 25.4% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Illinois: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Illinois.
Where is the best place to live in Illinois?
The best place to live in Illinois is Chicago, followed by Springfield, Naperville, Clarendon Hills, Rockford, Schaumburg, Peoria, Evanston, Hinsdale and Oak Park.
Is Illinois the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $267,365. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Which Illinois city has the lowest cost of living?
Charleston has the lowest cost of living, which is 30.3% and 25.6% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
