The most affordable cities to buy a house in Illinois (2026)

Every Illinois city over 10,000 residents, ranked by the gross household income it takes to buy the typical home: 20% down at 6.66% (30-yr fixed), including Illinois property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-06.

  1. Cahokia Heights — typical home $51K, income to buy about $16,000/yr
  2. Danville — typical home $79K, income to buy about $25,000/yr
  3. Kewanee — typical home $84K, income to buy about $27,000/yr
  4. Canton — typical home $101K, income to buy about $32,000/yr
  5. Galesburg — typical home $107K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
  6. Alton — typical home $108K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
  7. Decatur — typical home $108K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
  8. Harvey — typical home $111K, income to buy about $35,000/yr
  9. Macomb — typical home $111K, income to buy about $35,000/yr
  10. Centralia — typical home $115K, income to buy about $36,000/yr
  11. Herrin — typical home $116K, income to buy about $37,000/yr
  12. Granite City — typical home $116K, income to buy about $37,000/yr
  13. Riverdale — typical home $123K, income to buy about $39,000/yr
  14. Mattoon — typical home $125K, income to buy about $40,000/yr
  15. Rock Island — typical home $129K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  16. Freeport — typical home $129K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  17. Streator — typical home $130K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  18. Mount Vernon — typical home $132K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
  19. Wood River — typical home $136K, income to buy about $43,000/yr
  20. Peoria — typical home $137K, income to buy about $44,000/yr
  21. Taylorville — typical home $139K, income to buy about $44,000/yr
  22. Lincoln — typical home $139K, income to buy about $44,000/yr
  23. Jacksonville — typical home $143K, income to buy about $45,000/yr
  24. Rantoul — typical home $145K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
  25. Sterling — typical home $145K, income to buy about $46,000/yr

At the other end, Illinois's priciest markets: Winnetka ($613,000/yr), Hinsdale ($413,000/yr), Lake Forest ($396,000/yr), Wilmette ($324,000/yr), Western Springs ($289,000/yr).

"Income to buy" holds the typical home's payment inside the 28% lender guideline. Your own verdict depends on savings and debts — open any city and run your numbers, or see the whole country on the affordability map.

i wanna buy a house .com — type a city, see its market, find out what you can afford.