14 Cheapest Places to Live in Illinois

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The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Illinois is probably Chicago.

Chicago is not only the most populated and biggest city in the state but also in the Midwest.

Illinois has more than 102 counties and more than 1,300 towns, villages, and cities.

So, what does this mean for you?

You will easily be able to find plenty of great, cheap towns and neighborhoods in Illinois.

14 Cheapest Places to Live in Illinois

1. Rantoul

Rantoul is just 14 miles from Champaign, Illinois.

The average rent for a one-bedroom home or apartment is $453.

The affordability makes it an overwhelmingly convenient town to live and work in.

Residents living in Rantoul can also enjoy the convenience of Champaign, which is a college town, without having to pay higher costs.

There are about 13,000 individuals who live in Rantoul.

Downtown Rantoul has various independent businesses.

You’ll find everything here, from barbershops to coffee shops, travel agencies, and restaurants.

2. Charleston

Number two on the list of the cheapest cities in Illinois is Charleston.

The average rent in Charleston for a one-bedroom apartment or home is $488.

It’s located in southern Illinois and is known for having a lively downtown area.

The downtown area is full of businesses, art galleries, and art venues, in addition to a university.

If you’re looking for a small, tight-knit community, Charleston is a great option for you.

In addition, it features many amenities that can also be found in larger cities.

3. Lincoln

Lincoln also made the list of the cheapest cities in Illinois and for a very good reason.

The average cost of a one-bedroom home or apartment in Lincoln is $575.

Can you guess where Lincoln got its name?

It was named after Abraham Lincoln before he became President of the United States.

If you check out Route 66 in Lincoln, you’ll see how much it is dedicated to him.

In addition, you’ll also find plenty of attractions and shops dedicated to both the town and the former president.

4. Belleville

Belleville is also one of the cheapest cities in Illinois.

It’s located in southern Illinois.

It’s located just 15 minutes from St. Louis.

Belleville is known for having the first brewery in the entire state.

Belleville is also infamous for being where Gustav Goelitz discovered a company that made Jelly Belly candies.

Belleville is fairly larger than other cities in the southwestern part of the state but has a small-town feel.

It’s located near the Mississippi River and has nearly 40,000 residents who call this town home.

5. Champaign

Champaign is located in the center of Illinois and is also known for being extremely affordable.

The average cost of a one-bedroom here is $649.

Champaign is located close to Urbana, both of which are college towns.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in town.

Champaign has plenty of single-family homes and larger apartments available for rent.

Residents living here can take advantage of a variety of attractions, such as the Krannert Art Museum.

Here, you can find many works of modern and ancient art.

Also in town, you will find Art Deco architecture, which is a famous landmark in the area.

6. Urbana

The average cost of a one-bedroom in Urbana is $656, making it another cheap town in Illinois.

Residents living in Urbana can take advantage of various amenities that are dedicated to students attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

You will never have to worry about places to eat and shop, as Urbana provides plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, shopping centers, and more.

Nearly 42,000 people live in Urbana.

7. Moline

Located 165 miles west of Chicago is Moline, Illinois.

It’s also just 164 miles from Springfield, the capital of Illinois.

Just like East Moline, it’s considered one of the Quad Cities and has a population of nearly 44,000.

Moline has one of the best business districts, so you’ll be able to find plenty of shopping malls in town.

In addition, you’ll also be able to find many single-family homes and large apartment complexes, many of which offer residents amazing amenities, including pools.

8. Rockford

Did you know that Rockford is the third-largest city in Illinois?

But, not only is it one of the largest in the state, it’s also one of the cheapest cities to live in.

It’s located just 90 miles from Chicago and provides plenty of housing options for residents living here.

Rockford is a highly diverse city with varying degrees of architecture that can be found here, including the Spanish Renaissance, Greek Revival, and Italianate.

There are also a few homes and buildings that are known as historical landmarks.

If you’re wondering what to do in Rockford, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of shopping centers and museums, including the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and the Burpee Museum of Natural History.

The average cost of a one-bedroom home or apartment in Rockford is just $724.

9. East Moline

East Moline, Illinois, neighbors Moline, also known as one of the infamous Quad Cities.

The average rent paid in East Moline for a one-bedroom home is $743.

Residents living in East Moline can take advantage of quality healthcare, shopping centers, breweries, coffee shops, and more.

Some well-known businesses include Midwest Ale Works and East Moline Coffee Company.

For avid outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of bike and hiking trails in East Moline, including Beacon Harbor and the Great River Trail.

This trail stretches nearly 60 miles along the river.

East Moline doesn’t have nearly as many residents living here as Moline.

There are just under 20,000 people who call East Moline home.

10. Dunlap

The average cost of a one-bedroom in Dunlap, Illinois, is $770, making it another one of the cheapest towns in the state.

There are only about 1,500 residents who live in Dunlap. In total, the city stretches about 16 blocks.

Approximately 22 businesses call Dunlap home.

Peoria is close by, so many Dunlap residents travel there to take advantage of the amenities offered.

If you love trains, cars, or clocks, you’ll love the Wheels O’Time Museum, which features some of these permanent items.

11. Hoopeston

Hoopeston is also considered one of the cheapest places to live in the entire state.

There are roughly 5,000 residents who call Hoopeston home.

The average cost of housing here is only $50,000.

Overall, Hoopeston provides residents with a small-town feel.

It once started as a railroad community but quickly evolved.

It now has a vibrant downtown area and is known to attract many retirees.

Hoopeston has many large employers in the area, including nursing facilities, healthcare facilities, and school districts.

It’s also known to be a quieter suburb compared to others in the state.

12. Freeport

Freeport is just a little bigger compared to Hoopeston, Illinois.

It’s also another cheap city in the state, with nearly 24,000 people calling it home.

The average cost of a home in Freeport is $69,000.

Freeport is a part of Stephenson County and offers a variety of shopping centers and attractions.

It’s also perfect for those who enjoy a vibrant nightlife scene.

One of the most well-known attractions in Freeport is the Great Baseball Tour.

The economy in Freeport continues to evolve.

Those working in healthcare, finance, or construction shouldn’t have a problem finding employment in Freeport.

13. Wood River

Wood River, Illinois, also made the list as one of the cheapest places to live.

There are nearly 10,000 people who live in Wood River.

The average cost of a home in the city is close to $84,000.

It’s also known as one of the cities that provides home-buying programs for people who wish to move here.

Wood River is located just 15 miles from St. Louis.

But besides that, there are plenty of things to do in town without having to travel out of state.

Wood River is home to Haskell Playhouse and the Wildey Theatre, where you can catch frequent shows.

The city also provides a variety of entertainment options.

14. Granite City

Last on the list of the cheapest cities in Illinois is Granite City.

Although it’s a small town, there’s a lot to take advantage of here.

30,000 people call Granite City home.

The average cost of a home here is $71,000. Granite City quickly evolved, thanks to its proximity to the Mississippi River.

Residents living here can take advantage of Horseshoe Lake State Park, dirt racing, and much more.

The cost of living here is substantially lower than Chicago’s average, although unemployment is slightly higher than the national average.

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