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 6.76% (30-yr fixed), including Illinois property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-07.

1. Cahokia Heights — typical home $49K, income to buy about $16,000/yr
2. Kewanee — typical home $84K, income to buy about $27,000/yr
3. Danville — typical home $84K, income to buy about $27,000/yr
4. Canton — typical home $101K, income to buy about $32,000/yr
5. Alton — typical home $105K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
6. Galesburg — typical home $106K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
7. Harvey — typical home $107K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
8. Decatur — typical home $107K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
9. Herrin — typical home $112K, income to buy about $36,000/yr
10. Macomb — typical home $112K, income to buy about $36,000/yr
11. Centralia — typical home $116K, income to buy about $37,000/yr
12. Granite City — typical home $117K, income to buy about $37,000/yr
13. Riverdale — typical home $119K, income to buy about $38,000/yr
14. Rock Island — typical home $130K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
15. Freeport — typical home $130K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
16. Streator — typical home $131K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
17. Mattoon — typical home $131K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
18. Wood River — typical home $136K, income to buy about $43,000/yr
19. Peoria — typical home $137K, income to buy about $44,000/yr
20. Mount Vernon — typical home $138K, income to buy about $44,000/yr
21. Taylorville — typical home $138K, income to buy about $44,000/yr
22. Lincoln — typical home $139K, income to buy about $45,000/yr
23. Jacksonville — typical home $142K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
24. Rantoul — typical home $145K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
25. Pekin — typical home $145K, income to buy about $46,000/yr

At the other end, Illinois's priciest markets: Winnetka ($611,000/yr), Hinsdale ($411,000/yr), Lake Forest ($399,000/yr), Wilmette ($323,000/yr), Western Springs ($290,000/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.