Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
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.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
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.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
West Chicago is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 26,998 residents. More than a quarter of the residents of West Chicago identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 46% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in West Chicago, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving 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 city before actually living in West Chicago, 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. Finding the best places to live in West Chicago and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, education and other important metrics.
West Chicago has a livability score of 62/100 and is ranked #680 in Illinois and #14,402 in the USA. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that West Chicago ranks well for crime (A+), employment (A-) and housing (A-). On a less positive note, West Chicago does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. West Chicago excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that West Chicago 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 West Chicago. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in West Chicago are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in West Chicago come in at $247,100, which is 41.4% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In West Chicago, the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 6.7% higher than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | West Chicago | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 72.9% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 15.4% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.0% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.8% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.6% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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