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 7.03% (30-yr fixed), including Illinois property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-08.

1. Cahokia Heights — typical home $50K, income to buy about $16,000/yr
2. Danville — typical home $83K, income to buy about $27,000/yr
3. Kewanee — typical home $85K, income to buy about $28,000/yr
4. Canton — typical home $99K, income to buy about $32,000/yr
5. Alton — typical home $105K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
6. Decatur — typical home $107K, income to buy about $35,000/yr
7. Galesburg — typical home $108K, income to buy about $35,000/yr
8. Harvey — typical home $109K, income to buy about $36,000/yr
9. Macomb — typical home $113K, income to buy about $37,000/yr
10. Herrin — typical home $113K, income to buy about $37,000/yr
11. Centralia — typical home $113K, income to buy about $37,000/yr
12. Granite City — typical home $117K, income to buy about $38,000/yr
13. Riverdale — typical home $121K, income to buy about $40,000/yr
14. Rock Island — typical home $128K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
15. Streator — typical home $129K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
16. Freeport — typical home $131K, income to buy about $43,000/yr
17. Mattoon — typical home $131K, income to buy about $43,000/yr
18. Mount Vernon — typical home $133K, income to buy about $43,000/yr
19. Wood River — typical home $135K, income to buy about $44,000/yr
20. Peoria — typical home $138K, income to buy about $45,000/yr
21. Taylorville — typical home $139K, income to buy about $45,000/yr
22. Lincoln — typical home $142K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
23. Rantoul — typical home $142K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
24. Jacksonville — typical home $143K, income to buy about $47,000/yr
25. Pekin — typical home $144K, income to buy about $47,000/yr

At the other end, Illinois's priciest markets: Winnetka ($633,000/yr), Hinsdale ($424,000/yr), Lake Forest ($407,000/yr), Wilmette ($331,000/yr), Western Springs ($298,000/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.