Although the lack of affordable housing appears to be a widespread problem in many American cities, a recent US News & World Report lists cities where potential homebuyers may have better luck, with the Midwest prominent.
Although it was Fort Wayne in neighboring Indiana that topped the list, two Illinois cities still found their way into the ranking’s top 20.
Peoria was ranked number 16, while Rockford, which was named “hottest housing market in America” by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, ranked 20th.
With a median home price just north of $136,000 and a rich tradition of festivals, Peoria was hailed by the publication as a relative bargain with short average commute times and ample views of the Illinois River.
In the case of Rockford, the “City of Gardens” was hailed for its amenities and relative proximity to Chicago, its status as a logistics hub, and access to sports with the Chicago Blackhawks AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs calling the city home.
When it comes to the top city ranking, Fort Wayne was praised for its mix of quiet neighborhoods and range of amenities typically associated with larger cities, such as entertainment options and an arts scene.
The publication cites the city’s economic resilience against some of its Rust Belt counterparts, with investments from General Motors and BAE Systems helping a local manufacturing sector.
The Midwest was well represented at the top of the list, with the region comprising five of the top 10 cities.
Wichita, Kansas came in at number 3 on the list, followed by Springfield, Missouri and Davenport, Iowa at number 4 and 5 respectively.
Also cracking the top 10 was fellow mid-sized Midwestern city Green Bay, Wisconsin, which came in at no. 8 while gaining recognition for its college campuses, Midwestern small-town atmosphere and a revitalized downtown area.
More information about the ranking and the cities selected for the list is available here.