Illinois
Illinois ranks #31 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 51.1/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Education (71/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (6/100).
How Does Illinois Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Illinois
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Naperville | A+ | 68.0 | 151,220 | $152,181 | 65.9 | 102.6 |
| 113 | Arlington Heights | A | 63.1 | 77,699 | $106,051 | 85.1 | 102.6 |
| 220 | Schaumburg | B+ | 59.7 | 76,128 | $87,202 | 109.1 | 102.6 |
| 221 | Palatine | B+ | 59.7 | 65,176 | $89,725 | 121.1 | 102.6 |
| 234 | Evanston | B+ | 59.2 | 75,073 | $97,085 | 168 | 102.6 |
| 235 | Des Plaines | B+ | 59.2 | 59,408 | $94,303 | 142.2 | 102.6 |
| 258 | Bloomington | B+ | 58.6 | 78,591 | $77,577 | 5.1 | 92 |
| 317 | Bolingbrook | B+ | 57.3 | 75,121 | $114,296 | 221.2 | 102.6 |
| 332 | Skokie | B+ | 57.0 | 64,939 | $86,125 | 206.5 | 102.6 |
| 420 | Aurora | B | 54.8 | 179,355 | $89,658 | 316.3 | 102.6 |
| 474 | Elgin | B | 53.5 | 118,799 | $83,539 | 230.3 | 102.6 |
| 571 | Champaign | C+ | 51.7 | 89,191 | $46,232 | 428.2 | 90.8 |
| 602 | Cicero | C+ | 50.8 | 81,006 | $74,353 | 396.5 | 102.6 |
| 624 | Joliet | C+ | 50.2 | 147,944 | $86,054 | 410.2 | 102.6 |
| 655 | Chicago | C | 49.5 | 2,664,454 | $74,474 | 606.9 | 102.6 |
| 696 | Waukegan | C | 48.4 | 89,097 | $72,841 | 377.5 | 102.6 |
| 842 | Springfield | D | 43.8 | 112,327 | $63,849 | 781.2 | 90.5 |
| 904 | Peoria | D | 41.4 | 113,442 | $52,796 | 1201.4 | 88.6 |
| 919 | Decatur | D | 40.8 | 66,594 | $46,564 | 683.7 | 86.6 |
| 938 | Rockford | D | 39.7 | 146,219 | $59,451 | 1153.8 | 90.1 |
Best Cities in Illinois for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | 68.2 | 71.4 | 96.3 | 57.0 |
| 2 | Arlington Heights | 66.8 | 71.4 | 94.5 | 61.3 |
| 3 | Bloomington | 66.6 | 71.4 | 100.0 | 75.4 |
| 4 | Palatine | 65.5 | 71.4 | 92.3 | 65.1 |
| 5 | Des Plaines | 64.6 | 71.4 | 91.3 | 66.2 |
More Midwest States
Illinois Rankings Overview
Illinois earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 51.1 out of 100, ranking #31 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Education (71/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (6/100).
Economy & Employment in Illinois
With an unemployment rate of 4.6% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Illinois performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $78,304, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Illinois
Illinois's violent crime rate of 393 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Illinois
Illinois ranks #21 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #15 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Illinois is 77.8 years, and the high school graduation rate is 87%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Illinois
Illinois's total tax burden is 10.22% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 4.95%. The effective property tax rate is 2.11% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.96%.
Housing & Affordability in Illinois
The median home price in Illinois is $286,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 99 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
Environment in Illinois
Illinois has a median air quality index of 43 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 20% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 31.2 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Illinois
Illinois's population growth rate is +0.3% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -4.5 per 1,000 residents, indicating significant outward migration. 95% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in Illinois
The top-ranked cities in Illinois based on our composite scoring are Naperville, Arlington Heights, and Schaumburg. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Illinois's overall ranking?
Illinois ranks #31 out of 50 states with a composite score of 51.1/100 and a grade of C+.
Is Illinois a good place to live?
Illinois scores 51.1/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Illinois?
The violent crime rate in Illinois is 393 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Illinois's economy compare?
Illinois's median household income is $78,304 with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Illinois?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Illinois are Naperville, Arlington Heights, and Schaumburg.
How does Illinois rank for families?
Illinois ranks #25 of 50 states for families with a score of 64.2/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Illinois rank for retirees?
Illinois ranks #41 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 50.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Illinois rank for remote workers?
Illinois ranks #48 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 40.5/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.