Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Oak Park, IL
Considering a move to Oak Park, IL? This vibrant suburb of 54,583 offers highly-rated schools, a walkable, diverse community, and a median home price of $420,000. With an average rent of $1,420, a high educational attainment rate (70.5% bachelor's or higher), and convenient access to Chicago via public transit, Oak Park is ideal for families and professionals alike. Residents enjoy a moderate climate, low unemployment, and access to excellent healthcare, all with a reasonable commute time of about 34 minutes.
Demographics - Oak Park, IL
Demographics - Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is a vibrant suburb with a population of 54,583 and a high population density, offering a diverse community where 63% identify as White, 18.5% as Black, and 5.7% as Asian. The median age is nearly 40, and about 16.5% of residents speak a language other than English at home, reflecting its cultural variety. The community’s balanced gender ratio and mix of backgrounds create an inclusive environment attractive to newcomers.
Population:
54,583
Density:
11,100 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.8
Gender Ratio:
91 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
16.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
63.0%
Black:
18.5%
Asian:
5.7%
Others:
12.8%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Oak Park, IL?
The cost of living in Oak Park is above the national average, with a cost of living index of 128.0 and a median home value around $420,000. Residents pay about $1,420 in average rent and benefit from Illinois’ flat income tax rate of 4.95%. While housing is the largest expense, utilities and healthcare costs remain close to national norms, making budgeting manageable for many households.
Median House Value:
$420,000
Gross Rent:
$1,420
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$90
Auto Insurance:
$1,440
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,080
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$850
State Taxes:
Low:
4.95%
|
High:
4.95%
Cost Of Living Index:
128.0
Grocery:
105.2
Housing:
143.0
Utilities:
97.1
Transportation:
122.3
Health Care:
97.4
Miscellaneous:
106.0
Crime
Is Oak Park, IL a safe place to live?
Oak Park maintains a moderate crime rate with about 240 violent crimes and 2,120 property crimes per 100,000 residents annually. The chance of experiencing a violent crime is approximately 1 in 417, while property crime risk is around 1 in 47. Overall, the community takes safety seriously, with active local initiatives supporting neighborhood security.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
240
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,120
Crime Index:
2,360
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 417
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 47
Weather
What is the weather like in Oak Park, IL year-round?
Residents in Oak Park experience four distinct seasons, with winter lows around 17°F and summer highs reaching 85°F. The area enjoys about 54% sunny days each year and receives an average of 36.6 inches of rainfall, supporting lush greenery. This balanced climate allows for year-round outdoor activities and comfortable living.

Winter
Min:
17°F
Max:
34°F

Spring
Min:
40°F
Max:
65°F

Summer
Min:
65°F
Max:
85°F

Fall
Min:
45°F
Max:
68°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
36.6 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
54%
Neighbors
Oak Park is known for its well-educated and affluent residents, with a median household income of $101,900 and over 70% holding at least a bachelor's degree. The poverty rate is low at 8.1%, and about a quarter of residents commute via public transport, reflecting its strong connections to Chicago. The average commute is about 34 minutes, making it convenient for professionals and families alike.
Median Income:
$44,000
Household Income:
$101,900
Family Income:
$127,000
Per Capita Income:
$61,200
Income Male:
$68,000
Income Female:
$54,000
Poverty Rate:
8.1%
Non English Speakers:
16.5%
Rent:
$1,420
Unemployment Rate:
3.3%
Public Transport Usage:
25.2%
Commute Time:
34.2 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
96.2%
Bachelors or More:
70.5%
Education
How are the schools in Oak Park, IL?
Education is a standout in Oak Park, with highly rated public schools like Oak Park & River Forest High School and several private options available. The area is also close to respected colleges such as Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago, both just 2 miles away. With over 70% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, the community values lifelong learning and academic achievement.

Public Schools
Name:
Oak Park & River Forest High School
Street:
201 N Scoville Ave
Phone:
708-383-0700
Students:
3,400
Student Teacher Ratio:
16.5
Name:
Horace Mann Elementary School
Street:
921 N Kenilworth Ave
Phone:
708-524-3085
Students:
500
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.2

Private Schools
Name:
St. Giles School
Street:
1034 N Linden Ave
Phone:
708-383-6279
Students:
380

Colleges
Name:
Dominican University
City:
River Forest
State:
IL
Distance:
2 miles
Students:
3,000
Name:
Concordia University Chicago
City:
River Forest
State:
IL
Distance:
2 miles
Students:
6,000
Healthcare
Oak Park offers excellent healthcare access, featuring two major hospitals—Rush Oak Park Hospital and West Suburban Medical Center—both providing emergency services. With 3.1 physicians per 1,000 residents and a health insurance coverage rate of 96.1%, medical needs are well-supported locally. The area’s healthcare index of 78.2 suggests quality and accessibility for residents of all ages.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Rush Oak Park Hospital
Address:
520 S Maple Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304
Phone:
(708) 383-9300
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
West Suburban Medical Center
Address:
3 Erie Ct, Oak Park, IL 60302
Phone:
(708) 383-6200
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.1
Health Insurance Coverage:
96.1%
Health Care Index:
78.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Oak Park, IL?
The housing market in Oak Park is robust, with a median home price of $420,000 and average rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $1,490. About 60% of homes are owner-occupied, and vacancy rates remain low, indicating steady demand. Home values have appreciated by nearly 4% in the past year, making it a stable investment choice.
Median Home Price:
$420,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,490
Owner Occupied Rate:
59.6%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
5.9%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
3.9%
New Construction Rate:
1.2%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.4%
DMV Information
Oak Park residents are served by the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facility, located at 5301 W Lexington St in nearby Chicago. The DMV offers comprehensive driver and vehicle services with resources available both in-person and online at ilsos.gov. Access is convenient for local drivers, ensuring smooth vehicle registration and licensing processes.
State:
Illinois
Department:
Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facility
Address:
5301 W Lexington St, Chicago, IL 60644
Phone:
1-800-252-8980
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.