Near National AverageNear National AverageChicago Heights SD 170
Median Income
$52,115
household / year
Median Home Value
$121,500
owner-occupied
Median Rent
$991
gross / month
Cost of Living
103
national avg = 100
Is South Chicago Heights, IL a Good Place to Live?
South Chicago Heights is a small town of 3,986 in Illinois, with a median household income of $52,115
and a 4.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is
3% above the national average.
Strengths:
South Chicago Heights stands out for below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether South Chicago Heights is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All South Chicago Heights city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 102.6
South Chicago Heights's overall cost of living index is 102.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in South Chicago Heights costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.
Metric
South Chicago Heights, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$121,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$991
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
69.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$52,115
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
South Chicago Heights's violent crime rate is 238.1 per 100,000 residents
— 37% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
238.1 /100k
Property Crime
3280.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
South Chicago Heights is served primarily by Chicago Heights SD 170.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
South Chicago Heights, IL
National Avg
School District
Chicago Heights SD 170
—
Elementary Schools
9
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
10.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
78.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
South Chicago Heights sees average highs of 31.1°F in January
and 83.9°F in July,
with 42.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 28.2 inches of snow per year.
South Chicago Heights's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average.
That puts South Chicago Heights roughly 3% above the national average in cost.
The median home price is $121,500 and median rent is $991/month.
South Chicago Heights's violent crime rate is 238.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3280.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in South Chicago Heights are operated by Chicago Heights SD 170.
The district has 9 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1. 10.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
South Chicago Heights, IL has a population of 3,986, a median household income of $52,115, and an unemployment rate of 4.2%.
Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
South Chicago Heights averages 31.1°F in January and 83.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.1 inches
with about 28.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of South Chicago Heights, Illinois is 3,986 with a median age of 38.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in South Chicago Heights: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $121,500, median household income $52,115, crime index 100 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare South Chicago Heights side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.