Crystal Lake 80 Exceptional
Crystal Lake Livability #87 ranked city in Illinois#1,665 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Crystal Lake

PROS
  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

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What's it like Living in Crystal Lake?

Crystal Lake, Illinois is a moderately-sized city with a population of 39,685 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (91% White). Given that fact, Crystal Lake could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Crystal Lake entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.

Living in Crystal Lake can be a great experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Crystal Lake and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute and other important metrics.

Crystal Lake, IL receives 80/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #67 in Illinois and #1,378 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Crystal Lake ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Crystal Lake also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Crystal Lake ranks well for crime (A+), education (B-), employment (A+) and housing (A+).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Crystal Lake market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Crystal Lake is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Crystal Lake come in at $233,400, which is 33.5% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Crystal Lake, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Crystal Lake

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Crystal Lake?

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Compare Crystal Lake, IL Livability

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      Crystal Lake transportation information

      Statistic Crystal Lake Illinois National
      Average one way commute30min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.2%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.3%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.5%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home7.6%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Crystal Lake, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).