Elgin Among 13 IL Towns Among 250 Best Places To Live In U.S. News Ranking
Elgin Among 13 IL Towns Among 250 Best Places To Live In U.S. News Ranking
13 IL Towns Among 250 Best Places To Live In U.S. News Ranking
See if your town made it on the U.S. News & World Report roundup of Best Places to Live for 2026-27.
NUMBER towns in Illinois are among the 250 best places to live, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report that looks at value, desirability, job markets and the quality of life in U.S. cities.
Those in Illinois named to the Best Places to Live In the U.S. in 2026-27 are:
- Buffalo Grove: 15th
- Naperville: 26th
- Arlington Heights: 32nd
- Palatine: 46th
- Bolingbrook: 71st
- Elgin: 72nd
- Bloomington: 74th
- Schaumburg: 94th
- Des Plaines: 144th
- Skokie: 156th
- Aurora: 206th
- Springfield: 231st
- Cicero: 240th
U.S. News bases its selections on a public survey that asked thousands of U.S. residents what they consider important in choosing a place to live and its own reporting, as well as data from the Labor Bureau, Census Bureau, FBI, FEMA and NOAA.
“As prices of everyday goods continue to rise, consumers are considering affordability as a top priority when choosing a place to live,” Erika Giovanetti, consumer lending analyst at U.S. News & World Report, said in a news release. “While U.S. News’ consumer survey indicated that quality of life and affordability were close in importance, cost-of-living concerns resulted in many Americans putting what they can afford above their aspirations.”
For the first time in the ranking’s history, two neighboring suburbs secured the No. 1 and No. 2 placements. Just outside of Indianapolis, Carmel, Indiana, ranks No. 1 due to its high scores in desirability, affordability and job market. At No. 2, Fishers scored high in affordability and quality of life, and for its strong job market.