Moving to
Chicago Heights.

$1,038/mo median rent

Rent here is genuinely low, with median rent around $1,038 a month. Factoring in local incomes, the value gets even better. Money stretches further here than in most of the country. Home prices here are genuinely accessible, with a median around $161,000. That kind of affordability is rare in today's market.

7.5% unemployment

Unemployment here is 7.5%, well above the national average of 4.3%. Moving with a job already lined up matters more here.

801 violent crimes per 100k

Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.

30 min average commute

Traffic is a real factor here. The 30.1 minute average means plenty of commuters are pushing 45 to 60 minutes on a bad day. Proximity to work matters more here than it might elsewhere. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 7% work from home.

21% bachelor's degree or higher

College degree attainment runs below average at 21%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.

23 public schools inside the boundary

There are 23 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, close to the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.

The nearest national park or historic site is Pullman National Historical Park (13 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.