Is Palos Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Palos Heights

Palos Heights, a charming suburb located southwest of Chicago, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. With a population of over 12,000 residents, the city is known for its well-maintained neighborhoods and community-focused atmosphere.

The city’s strategic location provides residents with the benefit of a peaceful environment while remaining within easy reach of the cultural and economic opportunities of the greater Chicago metropolitan area. This balance makes Palos Heights an appealing choice for those seeking a suburban lifestyle with city conveniences.

Is it Safe to Live in Palos Heights?

Palos Heights is considered a very safe place to live, boasting crime rates significantly lower than both national and state averages. The city’s overall crime rate is 52% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). Violent crimes, including murder, assault, robbery, and rape, are particularly low, with a murder rate of 0 and a violent crime rate of 62 per 100,000 residents, which is 82.8% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Property crime rates also remain well below national averages. The property crime rate in Palos Heights is 12.64 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents generally perceive the southwest part of the city as the safest, contributing to a strong sense of security throughout the community.

Housing Market and Costs

Home Prices and Trends

The housing market in Palos Heights presents a competitive environment, with homes typically receiving multiple offers and selling relatively quickly. As of March 2026, the median sale price for a home in Palos Heights was $329,000, reflecting a decrease of 14.7% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Palos Heights tend to sell after approximately 63 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).

The median property value in Palos Heights was $367,100 in 2024, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). Between 2023 and 2024, the median property value saw an increase of 4.89% (as reported by Data USA). The homeownership rate in Palos Heights is notably high, standing at 93.4%, which is significantly above the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Rental Market

The rental market in Palos Heights indicates a tight supply, with a limited number of rental listings available. This scarcity may favor landlords and encourage renters to act decisively. The median gross rent in Palos Heights was $2,558 per month (as reported by Point2Homes), while other sources indicate an average rent of $3,750 per month (as reported by Zillow Rentals).

For renters, the median household income was $81,518 according to 2022 Census data (as reported by Point2Homes). This results in a rent-to-income ratio of 37.7%, indicating the portion of earnings allocated to housing expenses (as reported by Point2Homes). Houses for rent in Palos Heights have an average monthly cost of $2,875 (as reported by Zumper).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Palos Heights is higher than the national average, with some sources indicating it is 36% higher (as reported by Payscale). This elevated cost is largely driven by housing expenses, which are substantially higher than the national average, by as much as 90% (as reported by Payscale). However, utility prices are slightly lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Transportation expenses in Palos Heights are also higher than the national average, by approximately 4% (as reported by Payscale). Grocery prices are marginally higher, at about 4% above the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare costs are also elevated, coming in 16% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Job Market and Economy

Employment and Major Employers

The employment landscape in Palos Heights shows growth, with employment increasing by 3.79% from 2023 to 2024, reaching approximately 5,370 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include healthcare and social assistance, educational services, and professional, scientific, and technical services (as reported by Data USA).

Historically, Palos Community Hospital has been a significant employer in the city (as reported by Encyclopedia of Chicago). Other notable employers in the area include companies such as McDonald’s, UPS, CVS Health, and Walgreens, providing diverse employment opportunities across various sectors (as reported by Indeed.com).

Salaries and Unemployment

The median household income in Palos Heights was reported as $108,740 in 2024, showing a slight increase from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The average per capita income in Palos Heights is $75,551 (as reported by World Population Review). The unemployment rate in Palos Heights is reported to be 5%, which is higher than some other figures but still within a manageable range (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

ZipRecruiter estimates the median wage in Palos Heights to be around $55,000 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Popular job roles in the area include customer service, warehouse, and administrative assistant positions, with some roles offering salaries higher than the state average (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Climate and Weather

Temperatures and Seasons

Palos Heights experiences a climate characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 19°F to 84°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 0°F or exceeding 92°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 84°F and a low of 67°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The cold season extends from early December to early March, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 19°F and a high of 32°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The city experiences partly cloudy conditions year-round, with variations in cloud cover depending on the season.

Precipitation

Precipitation in Palos Heights is distributed throughout the year, with higher amounts typically occurring during the summer months. The average monthly rainfall varies, with June, July, and August often seeing increased rainfall. Snowfall is common during the winter months, contributing to the cold season’s climate.

The daily chance of precipitation fluctuates throughout the year, with higher probabilities generally observed during the warmer months. Detailed historical data on precipitation, including average monthly rainfall and snowfall, can be accessed through weather resources (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education and Demographics

School Ratings

Palos Heights is served by Palos Heights School District No. 128, which receives an overall “A minus” Niche grade (as reported by Niche). The district serves students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 33% of students are proficient in math and 61% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Within the district, schools like Navajo Heights Elementary and Chippewa Elementary receive “A minus” ratings (as reported by Niche). For secondary education, Carl Sandburg High School and Amos Alonzo Stagg High School serve the area, both receiving strong ratings (as reported by Niche).

Population and Diversity

Palos Heights is home to a population of approximately 12,152 residents (as reported by Data USA). The demographic makeup is predominantly White, accounting for about 87.2% of the population, followed by Hispanic residents at 8.6% and Black residents at 2.2% (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Palos Heights is 50.2 years (as reported by Data USA).

The city has a high rate of U.S. citizenship, with 98.2% of residents being citizens (as reported by Data USA). In terms of diversity, 8.52% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA). The population density is approximately 3,198.0 people per square mile (as reported by Wikipedia).