Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Health & Safety
A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.
Decatur, Illinois is a medium-sized city with a population of 71,857 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Decatur is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Decatur is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 49%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Decatur is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Decatur is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Decatur and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment and other important metrics.
Decatur, IL receives 59 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #936 in Illinois and #18,841 in the USA. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Decatur has been rewarded with high marks for housing (B+). Regrettably for Decatur, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (D-).
Striving for a cost-effective lifestyle becomes increasingly essential, especially in light of the ongoing upward trajectory of everyday goods and services. In Decatur, residents enjoy the privilege of a cost of living that is 22.37% below the national average. This favorable positioning extends its influence across a broad spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also housing costs, groceries and healthcare costs. Consequently, this locale emerges as a hub where your financial resources go further, allowing you to maintain an economical and sustainable way of life. This affordability becomes increasingly significant in an era marked by escalating expenses, rendering Decatur an appealing destination for those in pursuit of financial prudence without sacrificing their quality of life.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Decatur has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Decatur meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Decatur. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Decatur are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Decatur come in at $85,500, which is 51.1% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Decatur, the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 36.7% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Decatur | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.9% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.8% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.5% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.3% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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