Best Cities for Retirees in Illinois
Illinois ranks #47 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 46.6. Naperville is its best city for retirees at 74.6.
- Illinois, all states
- #47 of 50
- Population
- 150,692
What Retirees Should Know About Illinois
At #47 out of 50, Illinois isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in safety, and retirees with specific priorities (safety, established communities) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. Illinois's health score of 59/100 is middling — life expectancy of 77.5 years is roughly in line with national norms, but healthcare quality varies by region. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 10.22% of income. The 4.95% income tax rate is relatively modest. Property taxes run 2.11% (effective rate), which is above average and can meaningfully affect housing costs for homeowners on fixed incomes.
A typical home value of $297,573 is manageable for retirees selling homes in higher-cost markets. The state's safety profile is reassuring, with a safety score of 73/100. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 29 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Naperville | A+ | 74.6 | 73.2 | 78 | 97 | 50 | 150,692 |
| 2Wheaton | A+ | 72.3 | 72.0 | 75 | 82 | 55 | 53,557 |
| 3Arlington Heights | A+ | 70.1 | 70.8 | 80 | 80 | 57 | 76,005 |
| 4Mount Prospect | A+ | 68.4 | 69.2 | 76 | 72 | 61 | 55,472 |
| 5Oak Park | A+ | 67.8 | 69.2 | 78 | 75 | 57 | 53,292 |
| 6Orland Park | A | 67.6 | 65.3 | 73 | 70 | 63 | 57,916 |
| 7Des Plaines | A+ | 67.5 | 69.4 | 72 | 72 | 62 | 59,156 |
| 8Tinley Park | A | 66.8 | 65.7 | 69 | 77 | 65 | 54,842 |
| 9Skokie | A+ | 66.5 | 68.7 | 74 | 64 | 61 | 66,219 |
| 10Hoffman Estates | A+ | 66.5 | 68.0 | 77 | 74 | 60 | 51,175 |
| 11Schaumburg | A | 66.4 | 67.0 | 78 | 72 | 60 | 76,868 |
| 12Palatine | A | 65.4 | 66.5 | 73 | 68 | 62 | 66,293 |
| 13Evanston | A+ | 65.3 | 69.6 | 76 | 60 | 54 | 76,340 |
| 14Bloomington | B+ | 63.1 | 62.2 | 56 | 54 | 80 | 78,907 |
| 15Oak Lawn | B+ | 62.9 | 61.7 | 63 | 59 | 68 | 56,861 |
| 16Bolingbrook | A | 61.8 | 63.8 | 51 | 70 | 61 | 74,096 |
| 17Elgin | B+ | 61.5 | 59.4 | 53 | 61 | 68 | 114,934 |
| 18Aurora | B+ | 61.2 | 60.4 | 54 | 64 | 65 | 179,898 |
| 19Berwyn | B+ | 59.3 | 60.5 | 59 | 54 | 68 | 55,595 |
| 20Joliet | B | 56.9 | 56.6 | 42 | 60 | 69 | 150,445 |
| 21Normal | B | 55.4 | 57.7 | 53 | 29 | 81 | 53,569 |
| 22Chicago | B | 54.9 | 58.7 | 57 | 43 | 64 | 2,711,226 |
| 23Cicero | B | 54.3 | 58.0 | 49 | 44 | 71 | 82,797 |
| 24Waukegan | C+ | 54.2 | 55.0 | 41 | 43 | 73 | 89,076 |
| 25Champaign | B+ | 53.9 | 59.6 | 60 | 17 | 80 | 89,996 |
| 26Springfield | C | 52.6 | 51.1 | 42 | 38 | 83 | 113,330 |
| 27Peoria | D | 49.7 | 46.5 | 46 | 27 | 84 | 112,169 |
| 28Decatur | F | 47.4 | 41.9 | 31 | 27 | 90 | 69,815 |
| 29Rockford | F | 43.8 | 42.5 | 28 | 25 | 85 | 147,521 |
City retirees scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for retirees also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: Illinois for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois a good state for retirees?
Illinois ranks #47 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 46.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (73/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (6/100).
What is the best city for retirees in Illinois?
Naperville ranks #1 in Illinois for retirees with a score of 74.6/100, followed by Wheaton and Arlington Heights.
What factors are most important for retirees in Illinois?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.