Do you think you live in the best city? Well, U.S. News & World Report may have you second-guessing.
The site released its “2026-2027 Best Places to Live rankings,” evaluating U.S. cities based on affordability, job market, desirability and overall quality of life.
Nearly two dozen Illinois cities made the list, though none cracked the top 10.
“As prices of everyday goods continue to rise, consumers are considering affordability as a top priority when choosing a place to live,” said Erika Giovanetti, the site’s consumer lending analyst. “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.”
Did your city make the ranking?
Best places to live in 2026-2027, according to US News & World Report
What is the best city to live in Illinois?
Buffalo Grove topped the list in Illinois, landing at No. 15 in the overall U.S. ranking.
With a population of 41,765, the Chicago suburb ranked highly for its value of living, moderate weather and better-than-average job market.
The median home value in Buffalo Grove is $380,110, compared to the national average of $359,870, while the city’s median household income sits at $135,543 per year, according to U.S. News. The average commute is slightly higher than the national average at just under 24 minutes.
Where is Buffalo Grove?
The small city sits about 30 miles northwest of Chicago, directly north of Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is a short 10 mile drive away, while O’Hare Airport and Six Flags Great America both sit within a rough 20 mile radius.
Where are the best places to live in Illinois? 22 places make US ranking
Of the 250 cities on the list, 22 were from Illinois. Here’s a breakdown of the top cities, according to U.S. News:
CONTRIBUTING: Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: US News ranks these 22 Illinois cities as ‘Best Places to Live’
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
