Western Springs has ranked once again as the nation’s safest and richest city to live, according to a new report by GoBankingRates.com. 

The ranking was based on the top 1,000 cities with the highest household mean income using U.S. Census data. Other factors considered included average home value, annual cost of living, and property and violent crime rates. 

Illinois saw the largest increase in wealthy cities making the top 50 list, rising from just four in 2024 to 12 in 2025. The Illinois cities featured this year are: Western Springs (#1), Winnetka (#7), Kenilworth (#8), Libertyville (#16), Hinsdale (#17), Deerfield (#28), Park Ridge (#33), Elmhurst (#34), Wilmette (#35), La Grange (#38), Glen Ellyn (#42), and Naperville (#49). 

With an average household income of $294,896, Western Springs offers both affluence and security. The average value of a single-family home stands at $837,238. Residents face an annual cost of living of $84,810. What sets Western Springs apart, however, are its low crime rates — just 2.657 property crimes and 0.076 violent crimes per 1,000 residents — making it not only one of the wealthiest cities in the country but also one of the safest.