Choosing where to raise a family can impact the way a child sees the world.
Niche, a website offering rankings and statistics on towns, schools and colleges, recently released its 2024 Places with the Lowest Cost of Living in Cook County. It offers a look at the most affordable places for families in Cook County to call home based on a variety of factors including an area’s home value to income ratio, median rent, gas prices, grocery costs and more.
10 Most Affordable Places to Live in Cook County
Hodgkins
- Average home value: $38,100
- Population: 1,714
Hodgkins Park District manages a large community center and park system with scheduled activities year round.
Hometown
- Average home value: $151,400
- Population: 4,299
Hometown, a town with several community parks and recreation centers, scores an “A” from Niche for diversity and an “A-” in outdoor activities and good for families categories.
Ford Heights
- Average home value: $42,200
- Population: 1,618
This affordable suburb of Chicago scores an “A” in the commuting category from Niche. Students attend Ford Heights School District 169 and Bloom Township High School District 206.
Robbins
- Average home value: $105,600
- Population: 4,804
Robbins offers resident excellent commuting options and above average public schools.
Steger
- Average home value: $121,900
- Population: 9,518
Steger’s two main parks, Harold Hecht Park and Veteran’s Park, are well loved by residents.
East Side
- Average home value: $141,648
- Population: 23,894
Outdoor activity options are some of East Side’s strongest offerings for families. This suburb has a park on Lake Michigan, Calumet Park, and a forest, Eggers Grove Forest Preserve.
Thornton
- Average home value: $130,400
- Population: 2,169
Plenty of shopping and restaurant options, including the historic Thornton Distilling Company, the oldest standing brewery in the state.
Forest View
- Average home value: $249,600
- Population: 1,078
Forest View’s park district includes volleyball courts, a tennis court and softball field. Families enjoy a walking track and updated playground equipment, too.
South Chicago Heights
- Average home value: $121,500
- Population: 3,986
This smaller suburb of Chicago packs a diverse set of local cultures between its borders. It scores a “B+” from Niche in the outdoor activities, cost of living and commuting categories, too.
Burnside
- Average home value: $144,900
- Population: 2,246
Burnside has an urban suburban mix and most residents own their home.
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