From Chicago’s iconic skylines and world-class museums to historic landmarks like the Abraham Lincoln home and picturesque starving Rock State Park, there are plenty of reasons to consider moving to Illinois. If Illinois sounds like a state to you, you may also be interested in what city a city fits into your budget. For example, the median home sales in Illinois was $285,900 as of April.
Don’t worry if that price doesn’t fit in your budget. We have options that will help you find a home or apartment to do so. Redfin has compiled a list of the 10 most affordable locations to live in Illinois. They all have a median home selling price of less than $285,900. Find out which cities created the list.
#1: Decater
Median home price: $102,250
Average Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $75
Median household income: $45,404
Nearest Major Metro: Springfield (40 miles)
Decater, Illinois for sale
Decatur, an apartment in Illinois
The median home sale price is $102,250, making Decatur number one on the list of most affordable locations in Illinois. This medium-sized city has around 70,500 residents. If you are considering moving to this area, make sure to have views of restaurants, amphitheater and Decatur Lake, check out the Rock Springs Conserved Area and stroll along the trails of Fairview Park.
#2: Peoria
Median home price: $133,500
Average selling price per square foot: $86
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $924
Median household income: $51,736
Nearest Major Metro: Chicago (160 miles)
Peoria, Illinois house sales
Apartments for apartments in Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the second most affordable city living in Illinois. When you live in this city of 113,100 people, you can explore Laura Bradley Park and Forest Park Nature Centre, check out Riverfront and downtown Peoria, and visit museums like the Pioli Riverfront Museum.
#3: Springfield
Median home price: $147,350
Average selling price per square foot: $90
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,030
Median household income: $54,164
Nearest Major Metro: St. Louis (96 miles)
Springfield, Illinois Home for Sale
Springfield Apartments Rental, Illinois
Springfield, in central Illinois, lives in around 114,400 people. The median home sales price is $147,350, about $140,000 less than the median home sales in Illinois. Visit the Illinois State Capitol buildings and check out historic sites such as the Lincoln Home National Historical Site, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the Dana Thomas House State Historical Site. You can also spend the day at Springfield Lake if you are traveling to the third most affordable city.
#4: Rockford
Median home price: $165,000
Average selling price per square foot: $98
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $987
Median household income: $50,744
Rockford, Illinois Home for Sale
Rockford, Illinois apartments for rent
The median home sale price is $165,000, and Rockford is number four on the list of the most affordable locations in Illinois. The medium-sized city has approximately 146,100 residents. If you are considering moving to this area, visit the city’s green spaces such as Anderson Japanese Gardens, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, and Clem Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Rockford also has a great downtown along the Rock River, with local restaurants and breweries, Rockford City Market and the Coronado Performing Arts Centre.
#5: Bloomington
Median home price: $212,500
Average selling price per square foot: $112
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,012
Median household income: $66,861
Nearest Major Metro: Peoria (38 miles)
Bloomington, Illinois Home for Sale
Apartments for Bloomington, Illinois apartments
Another notable city is Bloomington. Here we see that home prices are about $120,000 less than the state average. Bloomington has around 78,700 residents, making it the perfect city to consider buying a home this year. There’s a lot to do in this town. Visit museums and historic sites such as the MacLean County Historical Museum and David Davis Mansion, and visit Miller Park and Miller Park Zoo.
#6: Walk Gun
Median home price: $234,000
Average selling price per square foot: $178
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,385
Median household income: $66,077
Nearest Major Metro: Chicago (45 miles)
Illinois Walk Gun for Sale
Walkgun, Illinois apartment for rental
The sixth on our list is Waukegan, located along Lake Michigan. With about 87,600 residents, Waukegan is a wonderful and affordable lake front town where you live. For example, you can enjoy Waukegan Municipal Beach where you can find Waukegan Dunes and Waukegan Harbor Light. Waukegan is home to plenty of landmarks like the Genesee Theater, and green spaces such as the Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve and the Illinois Beach Nature Preserve.
#7: Champaign
Median home price: $237,000
Average selling price per square foot: $148
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,155
Median household income: $51,736
Nearest Major Metro: Springfield (86 miles)
Champaign, Illinois, for sale
Champaign, Illinois apartments for rent
Slightly more expensive than Waukegan is Shampaign, the next city on our list. With Champaign’s approximately 88,300 residents, check out one of the parks, such as Lake Kaufman, explore downtown Champaign, and visit the campus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Campus.
#8: Oak Lawn
Median home price: $245,000
Average selling price per square foot: $173
Median household income: $69,352
Nearest Major Metro: Chicago (25 miles)
Oak lawn, Illinois house sales
Oak Lawn, Illinois Apartments Rental
Secondly, the list of affordable locations to live in Illinois is oak lawns. With a population of 58,400 near the population, Oak Lawn is the perfect area to live in when it is not as big as the major major cities in Illinois. It is also conveniently located southwest of Chicago. If you’re moving to this town, be sure to explore Wolf Wildlife Park, where trails and nature reserves can be found, and check out local restaurants.
#9: Regular
Median home price: $265,000
Average selling price per square foot: $121
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,225
Median household income: $51,736
Nearest Major Metro: Peoria (38 miles)
Normal Illinois Houses for Sale
Regular IL apartments for rent
To see if you’re looking for affordable places to live in Illinois, consider adding a regular addition to your list of cities. With 52,700 people living in this affordable town, you can check out the Illinois State University campus and visit the town’s historic sites and parks.
#10: Joliet
Median home price: $285,500
Average selling price per square foot: $177
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,235
Median household income: $72,871
Nearest Major Metro: Chicago (48 miles)
Joliet, Illinois house sales
Apartments for apartments in Joliet, Illinois
The last city on the list of affordable locations in Illinois is Joliet. With around 150,400 residents, Joliet is a great option to consider. Joliet attractions include checking out historic Route 66, visiting the Joliet Regional Historical Museum and stopping at the Rialto Square Theater.
Methodology: Every city must have more than 50,000 residents per US census and have a median home selling price under the average Illinois median home selling price. Median home sales prices and median sales prices per square foot from Redfin Data Center in April 2025. Average rental data from April 2025. Median household income data from the population and US Census Bureau.
