Illinois spot named the No. 1 ‘safest and most affordable’ city to live in the US
A recent report from finance website Go Banking Rates named an Illinois city the safest and most affordable city to live in the nation, while another Land of Lincoln locality was put in 17th place.
Elgin took the top spot on Go Baking Rates’ 50 Safest and Most Affordable US Cities to Live in, and Joliet fell further down, at No. 17. Other cities that made the cut include spots in North Carolina, Arizona, Texas and more.
The Go Banking Rates ranking published earlier this year was based on cost of living and crime rates. Here’s how Elgin and Joliet stacked up.
Elgin
Elgin’s median household income is $85,998, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Go Banking Rates reports the city’s average household mortgage cost is $1,840 per month, while the total monthly cost of living is $4,008.
The city is located about 42 miles from Chicago and was also named in a Niche ranking for the best cities to buy a house in Illinois. The area has seen a 9.3% increase in average home value year-to-year, according to popular home site Zillow, with an average home value of $310,551.
Elgin’s population is 113,310, and attractions there include the Elgin History Museum, Gail Borden Public Library and parks.
Joliet
Joliet has a median household income of $84,971, according to the Census Bureau, and Go Banking Rates puts its average monthly mortgage cost at $1,427 and total monthly cost of living at $3,572.
The city is about 46 miles from Chicago and has seen a 6.9% increase in average home value from last year, at $246,417, according to Zillow.
Joliet has a population of 150,489, and popular things to do there include the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Chicagoland Speedway.
Top 25 cities
Here’s how the top 25 cities compared in the Go Banking Rates ranking:
Elgin, Ill.
Cary, N.C.
Gilbert, Ariz.
League City, Texas
Rochester, Minn.
Sugar Land, Texas
Pearland, Texas
Meridian, Idaho
Broken Arrow, Okla.
Olathe, Kansas
El Paso, Texas
Virginia Beach, Va.
Huntsville, Ala.
Sterling Heights, Mich.
McKinney, Texas
Frisco, Texas
Joliet, Ill.
Laredo, Texas
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Dearborn, Mich.
Grand Prairie, Texas
Plano, Texas
Carrollton, Texas
McAllen, Texas
Surprise, Ariz.
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This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 6:30 AM.
