Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
University Park is a small city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 7,224 people. In University Park, the most common ethnic group is Black or African American with a total of 81%. This is followed by 13% White and 0% Asian ethnic groups. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all University Park residents is 31. University Park is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 44% married, this city falls well below the national average. Something to be aware of when living in University Park are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 35 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in University Park, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in University Park and in the areas around University Park is a much easier task.
University Park has a livability score of 66 out of 100 and is ranked #467 in Illinois and #10,342 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that University Park has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (A+), employment (B-) and housing (A+). University Park does not rank well for the following: amenities (F) and education (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their University Park apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
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 University Park is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in University Park come in at $124,400, which is 28.8% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In University Park, the home price to income ratio is 2, which is 33.3% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | University Park | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 35min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 69.8% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.7% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.9% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.6% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.9% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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