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.
#1 Pick for First-Time Buyers in Illinois
Chicago, Chicago — Good for now
Chicago
Good for nowChicago, IL
Price
$353K
Schools
7.1/10
Walk
93/100
Champaign
Think twiceChampaign, IL
Price
$157K
Schools
7.1/10
Walk
60/100
Chicago
Think twiceChicago, IL
Price
$269K
Schools
7.1/10
Walk
66/100
Lakeview
Good for nowLakeview, IL
Price
$527K
Schools
7/10
Walk
92/100
Chicago
Good for nowChicago, IL
Price
$527K
Schools
7/10
Walk
92/100
Chicago
Good for nowChicago, IL
Price
$496K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
88/100
River North
Good for nowRiver North, IL
Price
$496K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
88/100
Chicago
Good for nowChicago, IL
Price
$557K
Schools
7/10
Walk
92/100
Bloomington
Good for nowBloomington, IL
Price
$133K
Schools
7.4/10
Walk
34/100
Chicago
Good for nowChicago, IL
Price
$322K
Schools
6.8/10
Walk
60/100
Chicago
Good for nowChicago, IL
Price
$538K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
79/100
Logan Square
Good for nowLogan Square, IL
Price
$538K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
79/100
Chicago
Settle hereChicago, IL
Price
$395K
Schools
7/10
Walk
59/100
Chicago
Settle hereChicago, IL
Price
$487K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
70/100
West Loop
Good for nowWest Loop, IL
Price
$487K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
70/100
Chicago
Think twiceChicago, IL
Price
$306K
Schools
6.8/10
Walk
46/100
Elgin
Think twiceElgin, IL
Price
$215K
Schools
7.6/10
Walk
13/100
Decatur
Think twiceDecatur, IL
Price
$119K
Schools
6/10
Walk
8/100
Springfield
Think twiceSpringfield, IL
Schools
6.6/10
Walk
61/100
Waukegan
Think twiceWaukegan, IL
Price
$151K
Schools
6/10
Walk
9/100
Schaumburg
Good for nowSchaumburg, IL
Price
$316K
Schools
7.1/10
Walk
16/100
Skokie
Good for nowSkokie, IL
Price
$378K
Schools
7/10
Walk
24/100
Aurora
Good for nowAurora, IL
Price
$178K
Schools
6.8/10
Cicero
Think twiceCicero, IL
Price
$224K
Schools
6.7/10
Walk
6/100
Arlington Heights
Good for nowArlington Heights, IL
Price
$404K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
27/100