Safest Places to Live in Illinois (2026): Costs & Safety

Worried about safety in Illinois - or just want a suburb where schools and streets feel calm? You’re in the right place. This 2025 guide to the safest cities in Illinois answers the questions people ask every day: “What’s the safest place to live in Illinois?” “Which are the safest towns in Illinois with great schools?” “What’s the Illinois crime rate vs. U.S. average?” “Where are the safe cities near Chicago that won’t break the budget?”

We profile Chicago‑area standouts and reader‑requested towns Google keeps surfacing: Western Springs, Campton Hills, Naperville, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Plainfield, Oswego, Riverside, Mokena, Montgomery, Westchester, Freeport, Poplar Grove, Litchfield, Blue Island, Ottawa, Decatur, Danville, Lincoln, and more - plus small towns in Illinois to live if you want space and value.

Looking for family fit? We highlight suburbs with access to the best high schools in Illinois and call out cheapest and safest places to live in Illinois so you can trade crime worry for peace of mind.

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Bottom line: Whether you want a safe suburb near Chicago (Oswego, Riverside, Mokena, Western Springs) or a budget-friendly small town in Illinois (Poplar Grove, Freeport, Litchfield), these are the safest places to live in 2025 - covering schools, affordability, and peace of mind.

Yes - Byron, IL is both safe and affordable.

• Reported 0 violent crimes in 2024 (source: local PD)

• Close-knit community feel, popular with retirees & families

• Low home prices = smart entry point for first-time buyers

• Ranks among Illinois’ small towns to live if you want peace + value

Smart Buyer Tip: Compare Byron with Freeport, Poplar Grove, Litchfield, and Oswego - all trending in 2025 searches as safe, affordable towns in Illinois with access to schools, services, and better-than-average crime rates.

Looking for the safest places to live in Illinois? From family-friendly Chicago suburbs to affordable small towns in Illinois, these are the communities trending highest for safety in 2025. Rankings combine violent and property crime data with school quality, affordability, and livability.

• Violent Crimes: 0 per 1,000 residents

• Property Crimes: 0.1 per 1,000 residents

• Highlight: Only one burglary reported in the past year

Campton Hills continues to dominate every safety list with near-zero crime. Families love the quiet Kane County streets, excellent schools, and community-led policing. A hidden gem for first-time buyers using Illinois assistance programs.

• Violent Crimes: 0.5 per 1,000

• Property Crimes: 5.0 per 1,000

• Highlight: Thriving downtown + strong public safety investment

Libertyville balances suburban charm, best high schools in Illinois, and strong community policing. A top choice for families who want Chicagoland proximity with proven safety.

• Violent Crimes: 0.4 per 1,000

• Property Crimes: 3.9 per 1,000

• Highlight: Zero burglaries in the past 12 months

Pingree Grove blends small-town warmth with modern subdivisions, making it a magnet for first-time buyers and young families seeking safety and affordability.

• Violent Crimes: 0 per 1,000

• Property Crimes: 2.5 per 1,000

• Highlight: Fast emergency response + affluent, walkable suburb

Western Springs consistently ranks among the safest suburbs of Chicago. Its combination of wealth, strong schools, and reliable policing makes it ideal for families looking for long-term stability.

• Violent Crimes: 1.1 per 1,000

• Property Crimes: 6.2 per 1,000

• Highlight: Safest large city with full-spectrum amenities

With more than 140,000 residents, Naperville still maintains strong public safety. Perfect for buyers who want city-level amenities without city-level crime rates.

Beyond the top 5, Google searchers are increasingly looking for these safe and affordable Illinois towns:

• Oswego, IL - Family-friendly suburb rising on “safest Chicago suburbs” lists.

• Riverside, IL - Historic, walkable, low-crime village near the city.

• Mokena, IL - Growing southwest suburb with strong schools and low crime.

• Poplar Grove, IL - Affordable small town with community trust and stability.

• Freeport, IL - Budget-friendly city improving on safety metrics.

• Litchfield, IL - Quiet Route 66 town with affordable homes and lower crime rates.

• Blue Island, IL - Revitalizing suburb with mixed affordability and improving safety.

• Plainfield & Westchester, IL - Both showing up in 2025 searches for families seeking safe, commuter-friendly options.

Bottom line: Illinois’ safest cities range from quiet small towns like Poplar Grove and Litchfield to booming suburbs like Naperville and Oswego. Whether you’re chasing affordable housing, best schools, or lowest crime rates, these towns rank high for peace of mind in 2025.

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Safety isn’t just about crime - Illinois buyers also search for towns safe from tornadoes, flooding, and severe storms. Here’s what ranks in 2025:

• Naperville, IL - Strongest emergency system in Chicagoland with sirens, storm shelters, and proactive flood control.

• Aurora, IL - Among the safest Illinois cities for flooding due to upgraded stormwater infrastructure.

• Galesburg, IL - Inland position = fewer tornadoes + hurricanes; popular with retirees seeking weather safety.

• Oswego & Plainfield, IL - Suburbs trending in 2025 searches for safe towns near Chicago; both combine low crime with newer infrastructure.

Bottom line: If you want a home protected from both crime and climate risks, these towns offer resilience + affordability.

Yes - Illinois ranks high for safe suburbs, affordable homes, and school quality. Searches for “cheapest and safest places to live in Illinois” and “small towns in Illinois to live” are spiking in 2025, and here’s why:

Top reasons to move:

• Safe towns like Campton Hills, Libertyville, Naperville, and Western Springs lead statewide crime stats.

• Affordable small towns (Freeport, Poplar Grove, Litchfield) are trending for first-time buyers.

• Diverse lifestyle: choose between safe suburbs near Chicago (Oswego, Riverside, Mokena) or quiet countryside towns.

• Access to top Illinois high schools + healthcare.

What to weigh: Harsh winters, higher property taxes in Chicagoland counties, and commuter traffic.

Searches for “Illinois crime rate” are rising - but most buyers overlook a key fact:

• Illinois ≠ Chicago. Statewide crime rates are far lower than big-city headlines suggest.

• Neighborhood > city average. Crime risk varies block-by-block, so don’t judge by city-wide stats alone.

• What to check:

1. Crime trend in the last 6–12 months around your exact address
2. Police response times + community safety programs
3. Night-time activity/noise scans

Key stat (FBI, 2024): Illinois’ violent crime rate sits below national average once Chicago is excluded. This aligns with safe picks like Plainfield, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights, which all rank among the safest suburbs in Illinois.

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Bottom line: When you choose one of Illinois’ safest places to live in 2025, reAlpha helps you lock in safety, save thousands, and stretch your budget further.

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