Best Places to Retire in Illinois
Illinois can appeal to retirees for a mix of affordability, healthcare, climate, and local tradeoffs. The best options depend a lot on where you look within the state.
Illinois retirement snapshot
Best counties to retire in Illinois
#1 Lake County, Illinois
Overall Retirement Score: 67
Lake County is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize healthcare depth, suburban access, and a lower-risk Great Lakes location, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize lower housing costs or milder winters.
#2 Cook County, Illinois
Overall Retirement Score: 58
Cook County is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize healthcare access and major-market amenities, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize lower housing costs or a quieter retirement pace.
#3 McLean County, Illinois
Overall Retirement Score: 70
McLean County is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize affordability and a lower-risk inland profile, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize warmer weather or deeper healthcare access.
Sangamon County, Illinois
Overall Retirement Score: 68
Sangamon County is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize practical affordability, healthcare access, and capital-city convenience, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize milder winters or the strongest retiree fit.
Best metros to retire in Illinois
#1 St. Louis, Illinois Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 71
St. Louis is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize affordability and healthcare access, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize mild weather or a lower-risk profile.
#2 St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 70
St. Louis is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize affordability and healthcare access, but it is less appealing for those who want milder weather or a stronger retirement-market identity.
#3 Springfield, Illinois Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 69
Springfield is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize affordability and a lower-risk Midwest profile, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize milder winters or major-metro amenities.
#4 Chicago, Illinois Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 60
Chicago is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize healthcare access, transit-linked convenience, and major-market amenities, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize milder weather or a quieter pace.
#5 Bloomington, Illinois Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 69
Bloomington stands out more for practical affordability and a lower-risk inland profile than for climate or major-metro healthcare depth.
Best places in Illinois by priority
Most affordable
St. Louis, Illinois Metro is one of the stronger affordability options in Illinois, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for healthcare
Cook County, Illinois is one of the stronger healthcare-access options in Illinois, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for mild weather
St. Louis, Illinois Metro is one of the stronger mild-weather options in Illinois, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Lowest risk
Springfield, Illinois Metro is one of the stronger lower-risk options in Illinois, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for clean air
Lake County, Illinois is one of the stronger clean-air options in Illinois, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for fixed income
St. Louis, Illinois Metro is one of the stronger fixed-income options in Illinois, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Other options to compare
Use the county, metro, and compare links above to focus on places that match your retirement priorities.
Compare retirement options in Illinois
See how two counties or metros in Illinois compare for affordability, healthcare, climate, air quality, and risk.
Compare PlacesExplore retirement profiles in Illinois
How to use the Illinois page
Use this page to narrow Illinois into a shorter county and metro list, then use compare pages when you are deciding between two realistic options. The overall score helps you spot strong candidates, but the category scores explain why a place works or does not.
Related retirement rankings
Best Places to Retire
Best Affordable Places to Retire
Best Places to Retire for Healthcare
Best Retirement Counties
Best Retirement Metros
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places to retire in Illinois?
The county and metro options for Illinois appear above with category scores and links to compare related places.
What are the biggest retirement tradeoffs in Illinois?
The biggest tradeoffs depend on the part of the state you are comparing, especially around cost, climate, healthcare access, and risk.
How to use this page
Added DuPage County to strengthen suburban Illinois balance.