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WYLT Rankings · 2026

Best neighborhoods for first-time buyers
in Illinois

Ranked by value — neighborhoods with lower home prices that still deliver a strong WYLT verdict.

✓ Affordable price
✓ Good verdict
✓ Walkability
25 neighborhoods ranked
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families💻 Remote Workers🌅 Retirees🔑 First-Time Buyers

#1 Pick for First-Time Buyers in Illinois

Bloomington, Bloomington — Good for now

#1

Bloomington

Good for now

Bloomington, IL

Price

$145K

Schools

7.6/10

Walk

91/100

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#2

Springfield

Think twice

Springfield, IL

Price

$95K

Schools

6.4/10

Walk

74/100

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#3

Champaign

Think twice

Champaign, IL

Price

$185K

Schools

6.8/10

Walk

75/100

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#4

Cicero

Think twice

Cicero, IL

Price

$249K

Schools

7.4/10

Walk

78/100

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#5

Chicago

Think twice

Chicago, IL

Price

$281K

Schools

7.7/10

Walk

76/100

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#6

Berwyn

Good for now

Berwyn, IL

Price

$295K

Schools

7.3/10

Walk

77/100

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#7

Schaumburg

Good for now

Schaumburg, IL

Price

$372K

Schools

7.6/10

Walk

83/100

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#8

Chicago

Good for now

Chicago, IL

Price

$370K

Schools

7.9/10

Walk

75/100

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#9

Elgin

Think twice

Elgin, IL

Price

$242K

Schools

6.9/10

Walk

66/100

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#10

Chicago

Settle here

Chicago, IL

Price

$500K

Schools

7.8/10

Walk

90/100

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#11

River North

Good for now

River North, IL

Price

$500K

Schools

7.8/10

Walk

90/100

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#12

Palatine

Think twice

Palatine, IL

Price

$427K

Schools

7.6/10

Walk

82/100

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#13

Waukegan

Think twice

Waukegan, IL

Price

$177K

Schools

6.9/10

Walk

55/100

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#14

Joliet

Think twice

Joliet, IL

Price

$194K

Schools

7/10

Walk

56/100

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#15

Skokie

Good for now

Skokie, IL

Price

$396K

Schools

7.8/10

Walk

73/100

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#16

Chicago

Settle here

Chicago, IL

Price

$500K

Schools

7.8/10

Walk

85/100

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#17

West Loop

Good for now

West Loop, IL

Price

$500K

Schools

7.8/10

Walk

85/100

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#18

Decatur

Think twice

Decatur, IL

Price

$125K

Schools

6.7/10

Walk

46/100

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#19

Chicago

Good for now

Chicago, IL

Price

$359K

Schools

7.7/10

Walk

65/100

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#20

Chicago

Settle here

Chicago, IL

Price

$402K

Schools

8.1/10

Walk

65/100

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#21

Chicago

Settle here

Chicago, IL

Price

$586K

Schools

7.9/10

Walk

89/100

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#22

Logan Square

Good for now

Logan Square, IL

Price

$586K

Schools

7.9/10

Walk

89/100

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#23

Evanston

Good for now

Evanston, IL

Price

$591K

Schools

7.3/10

Walk

89/100

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#24

Aurora

Good for now

Aurora, IL

Price

$205K

Schools

3.5/10

Walk

68/100

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#25

Chicago

Good for now

Chicago, IL

Price

$538K

Schools

7.9/10

Walk

74/100

View report →
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