Two central Illinois locations ranked in the top 100 places to live in U.S.

Posted on June 17, 2024
Bloomington gained a quality of life score of 768, and was recognized as a college town, being a home to students that attend Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan and Heartland Community College. (WJBC File Photo)

By WMBD_TV

BLOOMINGTON – Two central Illinois cities made the list of the top 100 places to live in the U.S. according to Livability.com.

According to the list, both Bloomington and Peoria ranked in the top 100 best small to mid-sized cities to live in 2024. Bloomington ranked 36 and Peoria ranked 88. Both cities made the list last year as well.

To determine which cities make the list, Livability gathers data on a city’s economy, amenities, transportation, housing and cost of living, education and health, safety and environment.

Bloomington gained a quality of life score of 768, and was recognized as a college town, being home to students that attend Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan and Heartland Community College.

Livability states that Bloomington has a median home value of $228,604 in addition to diverse cultural programming delicious restaurants, fun boutiques and lively nightlife which makes the city attractive to new residents.

Peoria gained a quality of life score of 706, and was recognized as being strong in several sectors, including healthcare manufacturing and education.

Livability states that Peoria has a median home value of $133,905, and has a wealth of amenities, including the Peoria Zoo, the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Peoria Civic Center.

There were a total of five Illinois locations that made the list, the other three were Champaign, Evanston and Naperville.

More information is available on Livability’s website.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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