Illinois City Hubs

Chicago

Northeastern Illinois • Pop. 2.7 million (city), 9.5 million (metro)

Chicago is Illinois' crown jewel—a world-class city that defines the state's identity while maintaining a distinctly Midwestern character. From the ic...

Springfield

Central Illinois • Pop. 114,000

Springfield serves as Illinois' capital and the heart of Lincoln country. This mid-sized city offers affordable living, strong healthcare employment, ...

Naperville

DuPage County (Chicago suburb) • Pop. 149,000

Naperville consistently ranks among America's best places to live, and residents will tell you the reputation is earned. This affluent western suburb ...

Aurora

Kane/DuPage/Kendall/Will Counties • Pop. 180,000

Aurora is Illinois' second-largest city and one of its most diverse. Straddling the Fox River across four counties, Aurora offers attainable homeowner...

Rockford

Northern Illinois (Winnebago County) • Pop. 148,000

Rockford offers Illinois' best value proposition: major city amenities at a fraction of Chicagoland costs. As the state's third-largest city, Rockford...

Peoria

Central Illinois • Pop. 113,000 (city), 400,000 (metro)

"Will it play in Peoria?" The phrase captures this city's identity as quintessential Middle America. Peoria combines affordability with genuine urban ...

Champaign-Urbana

East-Central Illinois • Pop. 88,000 (Champaign), 42,000 (Urbana)

Champaign-Urbana punches far above its weight. Home to the University of Illinois' flagship campus, this twin-city community offers Big Ten athletics,...

Joliet

Will County (Southwest Chicago suburb) • Pop. 150,000

Joliet has emerged as one of Chicagoland's most affordable alternatives without sacrificing access to urban amenities. Located along the Des Plaines a...

Elgin

Kane County (Northwest Chicago suburb) • Pop. 114,000

Elgin blends historic charm with modern diversity along the scenic Fox River. Once known as the watch capital of America, today Elgin offers affordabl...

Waukegan

Lake County (North Shore) • Pop. 89,000

Waukegan offers Lake Michigan shoreline living at a fraction of North Shore prices. As the county seat of Lake County, this diverse city combines work...

Evanston

North Shore (Cook County) • Pop. 78,000

Evanston uniquely bridges urban Chicago and suburban North Shore, anchored by Northwestern University. This diverse, progressive city offers excellent...

Schaumburg

Cook/DuPage Counties (Northwest suburb) • Pop. 78,000

Schaumburg is the commercial heart of Chicago northwest suburbs, home to the massive Woodfield Mall and dozens of corporate headquarters. While someti...

Arlington Heights

Cook County (Northwest suburb) • Pop. 76,000

Arlington Heights consistently ranks among Illinois best suburbs for good reason. A charming downtown with excellent restaurants, reliable Metra servi...

Bloomington-Normal

McLean County (Central Illinois) • Pop. 135,000 (combined)

Bloomington-Normal offers a unique blend of corporate stability and college-town energy. State Farm Insurance and Illinois State University anchor the...

Decatur

Macon County (Central Illinois) • Pop. 72,000

Decatur offers perhaps Illinois most affordable cost of living among cities of its size. Lake Decatur provides beautiful waterfront recreation, while ...

Galena

Jo Daviess County (Northwest Illinois) • Pop. 3,200

Galena is Illinois most charming small town—a perfectly preserved 1850s lead mining community that now thrives on tourism, wineries, and weekend getaw...

Quad Cities

Rock Island County (Western Illinois) • Pop. 380,000 (metro area)

The Quad Cities straddle the Mississippi River, combining Rock Island and Moline on the Illinois side with Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. This bi-s...

Carbondale

Jackson County (Southern Illinois) • Pop. 26,000

Carbondale is the gateway to Southern Illinois natural beauty, anchored by Southern Illinois University. Shawnee National Forest surrounds the area wi...

Oak Brook

DuPage County (Western suburb) • Pop. 8,000

Oak Brook epitomizes affluent suburban living. Home to McDonald corporate headquarters, the upscale Oak Brook Center mall, and prestigious residential...

Oak Park

Cook County (Inner-ring suburb) • Pop. 52,000

Oak Park is a architecturally significant inner-ring suburb famous for Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio. This diverse, progressive community offer...

Skokie

Cook County (North suburb) • Pop. 67,000

Skokie is one of Chicago's most diverse suburbs with residents from over 80 countries. The village offers excellent schools, the Westfield Old Orchard...

Cicero

Cook County (Inner-ring suburb) • Pop. 81,000

Cicero is a working-class suburb with a rich history and predominantly Hispanic population. It offers some of the most affordable housing in the Chica...

Des Plaines

Cook County (Northwest suburb) • Pop. 60,000

Des Plaines offers affordable suburban living with excellent transportation access including O'Hare Airport and multiple Metra lines. The city has a r...

Palatine

Cook County (Northwest suburb) • Pop. 70,000

Palatine is a well-established northwest suburb known for excellent schools, abundant parks, and strong community programming. Downtown Palatine has u...

Orland Park

Cook County (Southwest suburb) • Pop. 60,000

Orland Park is a prosperous southwest suburb known for excellent shopping (Orland Square Mall), strong schools, and family-oriented community. The vil...

Tinley Park

Cook/Will Counties (Southwest suburb) • Pop. 57,000

Tinley Park is a family-friendly southwest suburb best known for the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (major concert venue). The village offers affordabl...

Wheaton

DuPage County (Western suburb) • Pop. 54,000

Wheaton is the DuPage County seat and home to Wheaton College. The city has a charming downtown, excellent schools, beautiful neighborhoods, and stron...

Downers Grove

DuPage County (Western suburb) • Pop. 50,000

Downers Grove combines small-town charm with excellent amenities. The walkable downtown features local shops and restaurants, while the village offers...

Bolingbrook

Will County (Southwest suburb) • Pop. 75,000

Bolingbrook is a diverse, growing suburb with excellent recreation facilities including a municipal golf course and aquatic center. The village offers...

Glenview

Cook County (North suburb) • Pop. 48,000

Glenview is an affluent north suburb known for excellent schools and The Glen Town Center, a mixed-use development on former Glenview Naval Air Statio...

Northbrook

Cook County (North suburb) • Pop. 34,000

Northbrook is an affluent north suburb with excellent schools and major corporate presence. Home to Northbrook Court and numerous corporate headquarte...

Lake Forest

Lake County (North Shore) • Pop. 19,000

Lake Forest is one of America's wealthiest communities with stunning Lake Michigan estates, historic architecture, and a charming Market Square downto...

Highland Park

Lake County (North Shore) • Pop. 30,000

Highland Park is a cultural gem of the North Shore, home to the legendary Ravinia Festival. The city offers beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, excellent...

Kankakee

Kankakee County (South of Chicago) • Pop. 26,000

Kankakee offers small-city living about an hour south of Chicago. Known for the beautiful Kankakee River and abundant outdoor recreation, the city pro...

Alton

Madison County (Metro East) • Pop. 27,000

Alton is a historic Mississippi River town with stunning bluff views and rich history. Known for being the final Lincoln-Douglas debate site and alleg...

Edwardsville

Madison County (Metro East) • Pop. 25,000

Edwardsville is a charming college town home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The historic downtown, excellent schools, and proximity to ...

Belleville

St. Clair County (Metro East) • Pop. 43,000

Belleville is the largest city in southern Illinois and the St. Clair County seat. With strong German heritage, historic architecture, and proximity t...

Normal

McLean County (Central Illinois) • Pop. 55,000

Normal is home to Illinois State University and increasingly known for Rivian's electric vehicle plant. As Bloomington's twin city, Normal offers coll...