Best Cities for Remote Workers in Illinois

Illinois ranks #48 out of 50 for remote workers — a state where remote workers may face some headwinds. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. Illinois's cost of living (index: 99) is near the national average, so a remote salary doesn't gain or lose much purchasing power here.

The high work-from-home rate of 12.1% suggests an established remote work culture with coworking spaces and digital infrastructure already in place. Broadband coverage is excellent at 95%, so reliable internet shouldn't be a concern.

The 10.22% tax burden is above average, which can offset some of the cost-of-living advantages for higher-earning remote professionals. Housing affordability (score: 67/100) is a clear advantage — the median home costs $286,000, putting homeownership well within reach.