Ten Illinois cities have earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s latest ranking of the 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2025–2026. The annual list evaluates factors like quality of life, job market strength, affordability and desirability.
U.S. News & World Report evaluated the 250 U.S. cities for its rankings using data from government sources and Applied Geographic Solutions. Cities were scored across five weighted categories based on a national public survey: Quality of Life (26%), Value (25%), Desirability (24%), Job Market (23%), and Net Migration (2%).
Key factors included affordability, education, health care, crime, weather, commute times and employment outlook.
Illinois cities that ranked in the top 250:
- Arlington Heights: No. 56
- Buffalo Grove: No. 63
- Naperville: No. 76
- Palatine: No. 80
- Elgin: No. 122
- Schaumburg: No. 141
- Bloomington: No. 168
- Bolingbrook: No. 210
- Skokie: No. 230
- Des Plaines: No. 240