Moving to Illinois is a great choice. Often rated as one of the best places to live in the USA, it is also considered as one the most diverse states. In addition, a lot of opportunities can be found in Illinois. However, you might wonder: where in Illinois is the most affordable to live? To answer this for you, we have put together a list of most affordable cities in Illinois – 2022 edition.
Hoopeston
A small town with a population of around 5,000 people, Hoopeston is widely considered as one of the most inexpensive places to live in Illinois, and this trend is continuing into 2022. The average cost of housing in Hoopeston is $50,000. And cost of life isn’t too far behind, currently at 9% lower than the national average. Hoopeston has, recently, become a hot spot for retirees. This, however, doesn’t make it any less suitable for young people looking for a home. The low prices here make the town perfect for anyone working from home. However, if you plan to move there, be sure to follow the Illinois relocation guide closely.
Freeport
Situated in Stephenson County, Freeport is larger with a population of 24.000 people. The average home cost here is $69.000, and the cost of life isn’t too bad either. The main draw of Freeport, however, is the active nightlife and varied shopping options. Additionally, the city has a healthy economy driven mainly by finance, healthcare and construction. These fields also have some great opportunities for people looking for jobs in Freeport. For those who like baseball, Freeport is also home to the the Great Baseball Tour.
Dixon
Anyone who comes to Illinois looking for a job knows that Chicago is listed as one of the best US cities for job hunters. However, the cost of life and price of homes in Chicago is rather high. For people who want a job in Chicago but don’t want to deal with the high prices, Dixon might be the right choice. It is a small town, with much lower cost of life than Chicago and average home prices of only $80,000. Dixon is situated only an hour’s ride away from downtown Illinois. Job staples in Dixon itself are in retail and manufacturing. In addition to being close to Chicago, Dixon also offers much of the same nightlife as Chicago itself.
Clinton
Nest of the list of most affordable cities in Illinois, Clinton is a very small town sitting only 30 minutes by car from Decatur. Clinton only has 7,000 residents, and as such makes for the perfect place for anyone looking for a quiet and peaceful life, away from the big cities. And if you ever get the urge to experience the hustle and bustle again, Decatur is one very close by. The average price of a home in Clinton is $94,000, and the economy is mostly fueled by healthcare providers and manufacture.
Charleston
Charleston is a small college town which offers a little bit of everything. With a population of 20,000 people and an average house price of $95,000, it is home to the Eastern Illinois University. For anyone interested in history, the city has a host of attraction spread throughout. And for anyone who loves art, the local Charleston Alley Theatre can provide some entertainment. Because the leading industries in Charleston are education, healthcare and social services, it is a wonderful place to settle down with a family. However, it should be noted that experts from golansmoving.com recommend traveling light when moving here.
Wood River
Part of the River Bends region, Wood River is a small town which is only 15 miles away from downtown St. Louis. As such, there is a lot to do here. To name only a few notable locations, the Wildey Theatre, Haskell Playhouse and Nickle Plate Trail are some of the places to visit in Wood River. The town’s population is only 10,000 people, and the average price of a home is $84,000. Additionally, Wood River has several Home Buying Programs to help you settle in.
Granite City
Granite City is another small town on the list of affordable cities in Illinois. The average price of houses is $71,000, and the city’s population is 30,000. Granite City is a wonderful place for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. Living costs here are much lower than the rest of the state, however it should be noted that the unemployment here is also higher than most of Illinois. Moving to Granite City will also require a long distance move from most places. As such, you should try to find experts to ensure a safe transfer to your new home.
Springfield
The capital city of the state of Illinois, Springfield might be more expensive than the other cities on this list, but that is to be expected. The average home price here is $115,000, but Springfield has a much higher employment rate than the rest of the state. The local universities and hospitals provide most of the jobs, but that isn’t to say there aren’t opportunities in other fields as well. In addition, Springfield is also home to the Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Adventure theme park, which is the largest in Illinois.
Most affordable cities in Illinois – 2022 edition, closing thoughts
Illinois is a wonderful state to be in. Both the larger cities and the smaller towns are full of possibilities. And here at 10 Top Movers, we believe everyone should know their options. Both when it comes to large cities and some less know, but a lot more affordable ones. We hope you found this list of the most affordable cities in Illinois – 2022 edition helpful, and we wish you luck with your relocation.
