This Illinois village named among the top 15 best places to live in US. Here’s why
An Illinois village with around 43,000 residents is one of the top 15 best places to live in the nation, according to one recent report.
The May 19 analysis from U.S. News & World Report, “250 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2026-2027” named Buffalo Grove No. 15. The village received an overall score of 6.9 out of 10, and was also named the No. 1 place to live in Illinois and the No. 9 best small city in the U.S.
To compare the locales, U.S. News & World Report evaluated each location for housing affordability and cost of living, education, healthcare, air quality, environmental risk, state economy and infrastructure, crime rates, weather, a culture and leisure index, average commute time, job market and more.
Data sources included the U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, the Federal Reserve, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and state and local sources, according to U.S. News.
Buffalo Grove performed particularly well for its job market, below-average unemployment rate and high incomes. However, the village didn’t perform as well for affordability.
“Buffalo Grove offers a higher cost of living than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income,” the analysis from U.S. News & World report reads.
The Census Bureau reports Buffalo Grove’s median household income is $129,395, with a typical per capita income of $62,568. The village has a poverty rate of 7.2%.
Buffalo Grove’s housing costs are above the national average, with a median home value for owner-occupied units of $412,300, compared to the U.S. median of $332,700, according to Census Bureau data. Real estate company Redfin reports Buffalo Grove’s housing market is “very competitive,” with homes receiving an average of three offers and typically selling in around 52 days.
The village’s median gross rent is $2,037, while the national median is $1,413.
“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people and partnerships that make Buffalo Grove such a special place,” Village President Eric Smith said in an emailed statement to the News-Democrat. “Buffalo Grove has always been a community that thinks boldly about the future while never losing sight of what matters most, its people. I wholeheartedly believe Buffalo Grove is the best place to live in Illinois, and it’s an incredible honor to be named the #15 best place to live in the nation. Years of intentional investment have created an outstanding quality of life and strong sense of community here in BG.”
Top 20 best places to live in U.S.
Here’s how the top 20 best places to live in the nation for 2026 to 2027 stacked up, according to U.S. News & World Report:
1. Carmel, Ind.: 7.2 out of 10 overall score
2. Fishers, Ind.: 7.2
3. Flower Mound, Texas: 7.1
4. Ankeny, Iowa: 7.1
5. Johns Creek, Ga.: 7.1
6. Hoover, Ala.: 7
7. Rochester Hills, Mich.: 7
8. Leander, Texas: 7
9. Frisco, Texas: 6.9
10. Sugar Land, Texas: 6.9
11. Cary, N.C.: 6.9
12. Troy, Mich.: 6.9
13. League City, Texas: 6.9
14. Parkland, Fla.: 6.9
15. Buffalo Grove, Ill.: 6.9
16. Pearland, Texas: 6.9
17. McKinney, Texas: 6.9
18. Noblesville, Ind.: 6.8
19. Broken Arrow, Okla.: 6.8
20. Apex, N.C.: 6.8
Twelve other Illinois locales made the top 250 list from U.S. News, including Naperville in 32nd, Arlington Heights in 46th, Palatine in 71st, Bolingbrook in 72nd, Elgin in 74th, Bloomington in 94th, Schaumburg in 122nd, Des Plaines in 144th, Skokie in 156th, Aurora in 206th, Springfield in 231st and Cicero in 240th.
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