Two Illinois communities earned spots among the best small cities in America in a new Livability.com ranking.
Downers Grove and Oak Park were both among the 50 cities recognized, placing No. 17 and No. 48, respectively.
Researchers ranked U.S. cities with populations between 15,000 and 75,000 using data from Applied Geographic Solutions and determined which locations offered quality of life and affordable costs.
Since the study weighted affordability, cities with a median home value under $550,000 and those where housing costs paired well with local incomes scored higher.
Downers Grove
Ranking No. 17 nationwide, Downers Grove stood out for its quality educational opportunities. The city’s public schools offered strong fine arts programs and excelled in preparing students for college readiness.
A charming, historic downtown anchors Downers Grove, and the city’s 49,561 residents enjoyed access to the outdoors through a network of nature preserves and parks.
Plus, with a median home value of $414,232 and median monthly rent of $1,373, the small city offered a relatively affordable alternative to Chicago’s nearby city center.
Oak Park
Home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District, Oak Park provided residents a blend of historic flair and family-friendly living, with Chicago a short commute away.
The city scored well thanks to an abundance of family-focused amenities like the Wonder Works Children’s Museum and Longfellow Park.
Oak Park’s 52,989 residents earned a median income of $107,417. Monthly rent cost a median of $1,227, while home values sat at a median of $422,276.
Receiving Recognition
Livability.com’s list highlighted small cities like Downers Grove and Oak Park as opposed to their more well-known neighbors.
“We wanted to celebrate the small cities that offer so much to residents but are often overlooked because of their size,” says Amanda Ellis, Livability.com editor-in-chief. “Downers Grove and Oak Park are great examples. Both earned top scores for health and education, and each has a downtown with real character, just a train ride from Chicago.”