3 IL Cities Among Best Places To Live In America, U.S. News Says

ILLINOIS — Three cities in Illinois are among the top 150 places to live, according to a new ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The cities in Illinois named to the 2024-2025 Best Places to Live in the U.S. report and their rankings include Peoria, Rockford and Chicago.

The roundup ranked Peoria at number 82, with an overall score of 6.2 out of 10. U.S News & World Report praised the city's "river-view bluff and in its family-filled suburban subdivisions."

Rockford came in at 105th, given an overall score of 6 out of 10, earning nods for its entertainment options downtown and for boasting "big-city amenities at a fraction of the cost."

The state's biggest city, Chicago, landed at number 119, with a 5.8 out of 10 for its overall score. Chicago was praised for its "seemingly never-ending festivals" and for its friendly residents.

U.S. News & World Report writes, "Most people stay polite through the holiday season, but all bets are off afterward. As the weather begins to border on unbearably cold, Chicago residents lose their patience, acting as if they're in a hurry to be somewhere – whether or not that's the case."

Naples, Florida, topped the list due to its strong job market and high quality of life, U.S. News said. A change in data collection, including a shift from metropolitan area-based data to city-based data — brought some new appearances in the top 25 from the Midwest and South.

“The incorporation of city-based data further localizes the Best Places to Live rankings, empowering those looking for a place to call home to consider factors directly impacting the livability and overall experiences associated with a given place,” Erika Giovanetti, a loans expert and reporter for U.S. News, said in a news release.

The top 10 places to live in the United States, according to the U.S. News methodology, are:

1. Naples, Florida
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
4. Greenville, South Carolina
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
6. Raleigh, North Carolina
7. Huntsville, Alabama
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
9. Austin, Texas
10. Boulder, Colorado

This year, U.S. News also adjusted its scoring weights for stronger considerations of a city’s value and job market.

“Rising concerns about career prospects, housing affordability and increased cost of goods and services are reflected in this year’s rankings,” Giovanetti said. “While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans, a city’s value and job market are becoming increasingly important for those looking for a place to live.”

U.S. News takes into consideration the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. The measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of people to find out what qualities they think are important in deciding where to live.

The 2024-2025 Best Places to Live were determined based on a methodology that takes into account the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. These measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. to find what qualities they consider important in a place to live.

Data and information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Sharecare, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other U.S. News rankings were also used in the rankings.