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Housing & Living

Housing

A place you want to come home to.

If you are interested in relocating to Stephenson County, our comprehensive living guide will help to answer many frequently asked questions.

Living in Stephenson County is affordable and offers the benefits of small-town life with easy access to larger amenities. One of the most picturesque spots in Illinois, the county offers rolling hills and plenty of open landscape. The cost of living in Freeport and Stephenson County is far less than nearby metro areas making it possible to have a larger home, build your assets and live comfortably in less-crowded spaces.

Average daily commute time is less than 20 minutes. Spend less time in traffic and more time with the people you love, doing what you love.

A wide array of housing options exist in Stephenson County. From tree-line boulevards and historic homes to farmettes and downtown lofts, Stephenson County offers sizes and styles in all price ranges.

Stephenson County consistently ranks high among metropolitan areas in the U.S. for most affordable housing by the National Association of Home Builders. The average family home costs much less than its equivalent in the neighboring communities of the Rockford and Chicagoland area.

You get a lot for your money in northwest Illinois. Take a look at the specifics and ponder what your hard-earned dollars can buy you here compared to the alternatives. Compare the cost of living in Stephenson County to major metro urban areas which are 30 to 200 miles outside our region, like Chicago, Milwaukee and Springfield.* The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, equals 100 and each participant’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all places.

Enjoy all four seasons! Inhabitants of northwest Illinois enjoy the benefits of having four distinct seasons. Activities change to take advantage of each unique period while city and county governments plan well ahead to keep our citizens and businesses moving whatever the weather. View average climatology data.

Stephenson County is budding into a growth mindset that brings the best of these values to existing and returning residents, creating an environment where anyone can thrive.

 

Apartments.com listings in Freeport & Stephenson County.

 

Contact: REALTOR® Association of Northwestern Illinois
24 W. Stephenson St.
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-235-3068

 

*Please note: Indexes for Stephenson County are projected, not actual, because the communities do not have minimum populations of 50,000.  Each quarter, the Council for Community and Economic Research, formerly known as ACCRA, produces a reasonably accurate Cost of Living Index that measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services among participating urban areas with a minimum population of 50,000. All items are priced in each place at a specified time and according to standardized specifications.

Data Recognizes Great Value

Quality of Place

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Construction, Plumbing, Heating, & Service

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Spring Break Staycation in Stephenson County March 18, 2024 Whether you have just a few days or a whole week to enjoy, why not turn your spring break into an unforgettable staycation right her in Stephenson County? The perfect break from ordinary can be found without straying too far from home. Krape Park: Nature’s Playground Start your staycation at Krape Park, with a fantastic variety of activities and a […]
Women’s History Month 2024 March 13, 2024 Ashley Huffines, freeport public library, greater freeport partnership, Women's History Month 2024 The Greater Freeport Partnership honors the commemoration of Women’s History Month with a special feature from Ashley Huffines, executive director of the Freeport Public Library. When I think about Women’s History Month in 2024, and this year’s theme, “Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion,” I can’t help but think about advocacy in the library world. Throughout the ten […]
Celebrating Important Things! March 6, 2024 Freeport, greater freeport partnership, Stephenson County On February 22, the Greater Freeport Partnership hosted its annual dinner with over 200 in attendance. We made several changes to our traditional annual dinner format this year, not least of which was adding three awards for a total of nine awards presented during the evening. While many organizations are paring down the number of awards they are presenting, we […]
Guest Column: Black History Month a Reminder to Remain Vigilant February 27, 2024 The Greater Freeport Partnership honors the commemoration of Black History Month with a special feature from James Rhyne, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Freeport & Stephenson County. Although it may finally seem that covid-19 is on the retreat, we must remain vigilant and watchful of the trends that are taking place in our nation, region, and […]