Illinois is a slice of heaven in the Midwest that many retirees find to be a desirable destination. There’s much more to Illinois than the large urban hubs like Chicago and Peoria; the state is flush with smaller cities that are attracting retirees like magnets. With amazing cultures, thriving communities and an affordable cost of living, retirees can finally make their dream retirement a reality in Illinois.
Are you ready to get out of the office and into your newfound freedom? NewHomeSource identified the top 10 cities to retire in Illinois, so you can start planning your new life in the perfect town and home.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Illinois
1. Danville
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.8%
Median Home Value: $70,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 17.49
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 44.71
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 129
Danville sits on the shore of Lake Vermillion, giving retirees the perfect place to relax and enjoy life. Danville has a low cost of living and median home price. Retiring in this affordable town lets you enjoy the best quality of life without having to worry about putting a strain on your budget.
2. Freeport
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 23.1%
Median Home Value: $71,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 2.11
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 20.99
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 136
No matter how you want to spend your retirement, you’ll love life in Freeport. This charming town is filled with beautiful parks like Krape Park. Here, you can immerse yourself in nature, while walking along meandering trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls. The Freeport Art Museum and the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad & Museum offer exciting tourist attractions that will take you back in time.
3. Galesburg
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 21.2%
Median Home Value: $77,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 4.57
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 41.33
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 175
If you’re looking for a serene place to call home during your retirement, you’ll love Galesburg. This rural town is affordable and peaceful, with numerous parks to explore. Spend your days hiking and biking through Rotary Park, or set sails on nearby Lake Story.
4. Alton
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.4%
Median Home Value: $82,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 10.17
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 41.77
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 115
Alton is located along the mesmerizing Mississippi River and the Illinois-Missouri border. Golf fans will love the multiple golf courses within city limits, and history buffs will enjoy the Alton Museum of History & Art and the National Great Rivers Museum. Folks can also enjoy restaurants, parks, and even a casino in this riverside city.
5. Granite City
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.5%
Median Home Value: $84,900
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 8.23
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 23.13
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 115
Retirees who want to stay active and healthy will love life in Granite City. This lovely St. Louis suburb offers beautiful parks like Horseshoe Lake State Park and the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, with miles of scenic trails and swimming spots. At Columbia Bottom, you can feast your eyes on the breathtakingly beautiful sunflower fields.
6. Decatur
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.1%
Median Home Value: $86,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 5.30
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 27.63
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 217
With a population of over 70,000 residents, Decatur is one of the most populated cities on our list. There’s no shortage of activities to enjoy here; whether you’re visiting the Scovill Zoo, the Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum, or strolling down the famous Merchant Street, you’re guaranteed to have a good time. The city is split in two by Lake Decatur, and folks can visit one of the several waterfront parks located on either side.
7. Kankakee
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.5%
Median Home Value: $89,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 9.12
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 33.74
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 137
Kankakee is a charmingly historic community in Eastern Illinois. This picturesque town has plenty of scenic parks for nature lovers to enjoy during their retirement, and offers numerous local history museums. If you want to enjoy an engaging retirement, then you’ll love life in Kankakee.
8. Rockford
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.9%
Median Home Value: $97,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 11.74
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 33.27
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 244
If you’re hoping for an urban retirement without a massive price-tag, Rockford, IL is the perfect destination for you. Numerous local attractions include three different botanical gardens, stunning parks and golf courses, and a vibrant visual and preforming art scene. You’ll never run out of amazing things to do and explore when you retire to Rockford.
9. Belleville
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14%
Median Home Value: $105,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 5.55
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 26.70
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 152
Belleville is a beautiful and lush St. Louis suburb. This lovely community is filled with fountains and historic architecture, allowing retirees to live a comfortable and elevated life. Numerous museums fill Belleville, so you can easily find something new to explore. The parks in Belleville beckon retirees to get outside, drink in nature, and stay healthy.
10. Rock Island
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.0%
Median Home Value: $106,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes Per 1,000 People: 3.71
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes Per 1,000 People: 23.40
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 165
Rock Island provides retirees a beautiful natural setting to surround their golden years. You’ll love life where you can enjoy beautiful parks and a close knit community. Delicious restaurants and breweries give residents plenty of venues to enjoy good food and good company. You’ll love your life in Rock Island.
Illinois’ cost of living is actually lower than the national cost of living, despite its slightly higher housing cost. Retirees looking to live comfortably need to have about $1.1 million dollars saved, similar to the rest of the country.
Illinois is a tax friendly state for retirees! Retiring in Illinois means that almost all your retirement income is tax exempt including social security benefits, pension income, and income from retirement saving accounts, including 401(k)s.
The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program in Illinois means that anyone 65 or older can defer all or some of their real estate taxes and special assessments up to $5,000.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Common Questions About Retiring in Illinois
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Danville | 17.8% | 17.49 | 44.71 | 129 | $70,200 |
| Freeport | 23.1% | 2.11 | 20.99 | 136 | $71,000 |
| Galesburg | 21.2% | 4.57 | 41.33 | 175 | $77,700 |
| Alton | 16.4% | 10.17 | 41.77 | 115 | $82,000 |
| Granite City | 16.5% | 8.23 | 23.13 | 115 | $84,900 |
| Decatur | 20.1% | 5.30 | 27.63 | 217 | $86,800 |
| Kankakee | 14.5% | 9.12 | 33.74 | 137 | $89,700 |
| Rockford | 16.9% | 11.74 | 33.27 | 224 | $97,500 |
| Belleville | 14% | 5.55 | 26.70 | 152 | $105,700 |
| Rock Island | 17% | 3.71 | 23.40 | 165 | $106,300 |
| Pekin | 18.1% | 4.12 | 19.29 | 105 | $106,600 |
| Calumet City | 13.1% | 5.15 | 28.79 | 261 | $110,600 |
| Chicago Heights | 14% | 7.74 | 19.55 | 261 | $111,900 |
| North Chicago | 6.3% | 3.15 | 2.06 | 290 | $117,300 |
| Belvidere | 15.9% | 2.54 | 10.26 | 125 | $120,900 |
| Quincy | 20.4% | 6.08 | 30.29 | 261 | $122,900 |
| Moline | 19.6% | 5.25 | 23.45 | 165 | $124,400 |
| Peoria | 16% | 10.44 | 37.49 | 383 | $129,400 |
| Collinsville | 15.3% | 2.61 | 20.13 | 115 | $130,400 |
| Springfield | 17.7% | 1.43 | 17.14 | 377 | $132,900 |
Other Illinois Resources
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.
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