Safest Places to Live in Illinois
While Illinois' violent crime rate is about 2.76 incidents per 1,000 people, around 42% of residents say they worry about their safety. Whether it's a cozy townhouse in Arlington Heights or a modern condo in Naperville, more and more Illinoisans are investing in home security. If you want peace of mind and secure neighborhoods, check out Houzeo's list of the safest places to live in Illinois.
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FAQsRankings: 10 Safest Places in Illinois
Pingree Grove reports a crime rate 92% below the national average, with recent data showing zero burglaries. Planned neighborhoods create a close-knit and watchful environment, helping the village maintain one of the strongest saf...
Personal Safety : 94
Property Safety : 95
Community Safety : 86
$395,000
Median Home Rent
$2,650
Homer Glen reports only 16 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, making it safer than 86% of US communities. Low population density supports steady neighborhood oversight and limits crime across most residential areas. Near Hadley...
Personal Safety : 96
Property Safety : 89
Community Safety : 91
$477,500
Median Home Rent
$1,400
Northbrook keeps violent crime low and ranks among the safest places in Illinois. About 89 officers provide active police coverage, and residents report concerns through local watch networks. Evenings at Techny Prairie Park and Fi...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 88
Community Safety : 86
$607,500
Median Home Rent
$3,002
Buffalo Grove has about 43,000 residents and keeps crime well below the national average. It reports 21 violent crimes and 717 property crimes per 100,000, down 94% and 59% from U.S. levels. Corporate parks, stable housing, and lo...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 85
Community Safety : 87
$400,000
Median Home Rent
$2,750
Park Ridge offers quiet, secure neighborhoods with violent crime 73% below the national average. It provides a suburban feel with family-friendly recreation and strong access to O'Hare International Airport. Uptown Park Ridge sits...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 80
Community Safety : 84
$635,000
Median Home Rent
$2,150
Elmhurst has a poverty rate near 3% and a total crime rate about 60% below the Illinois average. Crime has dropped 22.2% year over year. Proximity to Chicago, active policing, and engaged residents support safety. The Illinois Pra...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 74
Community Safety : 59
$900,000
Median Home Rent
$3,260
Growth hasn't compromised safety in Plainfield. Crime stays about 63% below the Illinois average despite rapid expansion. Low unemployment, strong local investment, and a police force that has grown with the population support sta...
Personal Safety : 84
Property Safety : 80
Community Safety : 73
$475,000
Median Home Rent
$3,000
Arlington Heights has low poverty and a median household income above the state average, with a population over 77,000. Residents work with local authorities and stay active in community events, which helps keep neighborhoods safe...
Personal Safety : 88
Property Safety : 66
Community Safety : 82
$525,000
Median Home Rent
$2,000
Oswego has grown fast but keeps a small-town crime profile. It has over 30,000 residents, yet violent crime is about 90% below the national average. The poverty rate is 2.6%, which supports stable conditions. Hudson Crossing Park ...
Personal Safety : 69
Property Safety : 89
Community Safety : 67
$392,495
Median Home Rent
$2,800
About 70% of Palatine residents feel safe and comfortable walking at night. Violent crime is 81% below the national average, and property crime is 47% lower. The suburb offers strong income levels and a steady sense of safety. Nea...
Personal Safety : 78
Property Safety : 76
Community Safety : 56
$375,000
Median Home Rent
$1,800
Top 3 Safest Places to Live for Retirees in Illinois
Top 3 Safest Cities to Live for Families in Illinois
Top 3 Safest Cities to Live for Young Adults in Illinois
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Ranking Methodology
To determine the safest places to live, we applied a structured, data-driven methodology using verified crime and public safety datasets. Our analysis incorporates violent crime rates and property crime rates (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program), local law enforcement staffing levels, community safety investment scores, and resident-reported safety data. Each factor was normalized against the Illinois state average to control for population size and regional differences. The combined metrics were then weighted and aggregated to produce a final Safety Score out of 100, highlighting cities where crime rates are significantly below the state baseline and community safety infrastructure is strongest.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Transparent & data-driven
How we ranked the safest cities
Each city is scored against the national average across three weighted categories, built entirely from FBI NIBRS crime data spanning 18 offense categories. Every metric is converted to a per-capita rate and a common 0–100 scale, so no single offense can dominate — and a city served by a non-reporting agency is never treated as crime-free.
Scoring weights
- Personal Safety50%
Homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping & human trafficking vs. the national rate.
- Property Security30%
Burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson & theft from buildings or vehicles vs. the national rate.
- Community Order20%
Simple assault, sex offenses, stolen property, vandalism, weapon & drug violations — the tiebreaker.
Our data source
Recalculated as each new annual NIBRS reporting year is released · agency-to-city mappings refresh quarterly.
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The market analysis provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Data is sourced from public records, industry reports, and third-party providers, and while Houzeo strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information presented.
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