Living in DeKalb, IL
Small city in Illinois
DeKalb is a small city in Illinois, home to about 40,000 people, with 1.2 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a relaxed pace, and homes are mostly apartments.
Is DeKalb a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Affordable housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $232k and rents for $1,830 a month
- Strong healthcare: 7 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Mild summers: highs around 81°F
- Dog-friendly: 4 dog parks within 9 mi
👎 Cons
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Higher taxes: about $2,002 state income tax per resident, 2.81% property tax
- Cloudier than most places
- Quieter on culture: few museums and attractions nearby
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how DeKalb ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in DeKalb: common questions
What is the cost of living in DeKalb?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $232k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $1,830 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are above the US average (index 104, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in DeKalb?
Illinois collects about $2,002 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 2.81% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is DeKalb safe?
Violent crime is somewhat above the national rate (1.5× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in DeKalb?
DeKalb has long, snowy winters: winter days average around 31°F and summer days around 81°F, with roughly 33″ of snow a year.
Does DeKalb get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from flooding, cold waves and tornadoes: 4 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 1.28 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to DeKalb?
The nearest major airport is ORD, about 43 mi away.
How DeKalb scores
Each bar compares DeKalb with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is DeKalb right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.