We don’t have to tell you that living costs are rising throughout the United States and the rest of the developed world. Fortunately, there are still plenty of places in Illinois suitable for living on a budget — especially if you know where to look.
If you’re considering Illinois towns, you’re in luck — the Prairie State is home to plenty of picturesque, affordable towns. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a safe community for family life or somewhere to launch your career as a young digital nomad, you can find a suitable place to move.
Let’s explore some of the best Illinois towns that won’t force you to choose between quality of life and your personal budget!
Olney
One of the best ways to spot a budget-friendly town is by looking at the number of homeowners in the area. With that in mind, Olney is a great choice — only about a third of the local population are renters. The rest of the city’s residents own their homes, which means home prices are not unaffordable even for young people.
Prices in the local real estate market illustrate this since the average single-family home won’t set you back more than around $140,000. However, unlike most other towns with affordable real estate, you don’t have to compromise on school quality or safety.
Olney’s crime rates are low as well, and online reviews suggest local parents are satisfied with the quality of nearby schools. Considering this, it’s no wonder that moving companies like golansmoving.com do a lot of work in the area. As a result, note that local home prices may go up in the future.
Urbana
Our next pick is Urbana — one of the other places in Illinois that lets you live well on a reasonably small budget.
Since the town’s population is just shy of 40,000, don’t expect a buzzing real estate market — only around 200 homes are up for sale at any given time. While local real estate prices are higher than those in Olney, prices in the rental market are decent — making it the perfect place for a young professional.
That goes double if you work remotely as a Chicago developer and don’t have to commute anywhere. Also, rent prices are quite stable here. These days, the average rent doesn’t go much higher than $1,300 – $1,400.
One of the main reasons Urbana is so popular is its proximity to Champaign, where the University of Illinois is located. With that in mind, you won’t be surprised to see Urbana having most of the perks you’d expect from a college town. This includes gorgeous coffee shops, great restaurants, shopping opportunities, and more.
Belleville
Generally, you won’t find as many historic places in Illinois with low rent, as they tend to attract more people. However, Belleville is still a reasonably affordable town — and just a quick 15-minute drive from St. Louis.
Considering that, it’s a wonder that Belleville’s home prices and moving companies allow for a more affordable relocation — just make sure to get multiple quotes from different companies, as it’s one of the most important cost saving strategies for a wallet-friendly relocation.
However, rent prices have been steadily rising, but the average rent is still just above $1,000. And for that price, you get to live in a small town with easy access to big-city amenities. Among other interesting facts, note that Belleville is home to the first brewery founded in Illinois, and it’s where the Jelly Belly Company was founded.
Carbondale
If you’re looking for the right combo of a lively atmosphere and decent affordability, Illinois is home to other college towns. Carbondale is a great example, with its Southern Illinois University. The university is attended by over 13,000 students at all times, which means the town is bustling with youthful energy. Plus, the local community is always welcoming to new people.
For people on a particularly small budget, Carbondale is a great choice because of below-average living costs — at least when compared to the country in general. This is particularly true for attractively small housing costs.
Buying a home in Carbondale is perfectly plausible even with a budget of around $130,000 — a significantly lower average home price compared to larger cities in Illinois and beyond. And rent prices are similarly reasonable. Of course, this is no surprise considering Carbondale is a college town.
You can easily find a one-bedroom apartment for about $800 per month — though this won’t be the classiest one you’ve ever seen. For a comfier living experience, expect to pay around $1,000.
All of this makes Carbondale a great choice, especially for young professionals who work remotely. You get an energetic young community and all the amenities you need — for housing prices that are a fraction of what you’d pay in a large city.
Other Benefits
And don’t think that Carbondale’s only attractions are affordability and community. If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, you’ll love the town for its outdoor recreation opportunities. There’s plenty of gorgeous nature nearby — including Shawnee National Forest. Here, you can find great camping spots, as well as fun hiking trails and gorgeous lakes.
Cedar Lake is a great example, with a stunning shoreline that is lined by the surrounding forests. It’s one of the most tranquil places in Carbondale and beyond — and you can enjoy all kinds of water-based activities here. When the weather allows it, locals enjoy everything from swimming and paddling to kayaking and fishing here.
For anyone who enjoys living a more active lifestyle but doesn’t want to stretch their budget — Carbondale is definitely a great choice among all the places in Illinois.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, many places in Illinois can help you save money in the long run without sacrificing quality of life. Most small towns here have plenty to offer — from college life to historic sites. In most cases, these are small, tight-knit communities that provide safety and easy access to all necessary amenities — so you don’t have to make any compromises!