Living in Edwardsville, IL
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Schools and More

Thinking of moving to Edwardsville, IL? Explore our complete guide to living in Edwardsville, covering local cost of living, top-ranked schools, job growth and the best neighborhood amenities.

Living in Edwardsville, IL, is as charming as it gets. Hop on your bike for a cruise down the Madison County Transit (MCT) Trails, catch a live show at the historic Wildey Theatre or grab a craft coffee at Goshen Coffee Roasters all in a day! Located in Madison County just 18 miles northeast of downtown St. Louis, Edwardsville is a historic college-town hub with academic energy, miles of multi-use trails and a revitalized downtown where the community comes together. For the 27,472 people who live in Illinois’ third-oldest city, Midwestern history meets the high-energy fun of a college town. Homes here offer great value, with a median home value of $301,310, set against a stunning backdrop of brick-lined downtown streets, sprawling nature centers and the green grounds of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). Edwardsville is a magnet for young professionals, university faculty and growing families who want great schools, safe streets and plenty of things to do without being too far from St. Louis’ major job centers and amenities.

Top Reasons to Move to Edwardsville, IL:

• Top-Tier Transportation: Getting around town (and the surrounding region!) is smooth sailing. The city is famous for its interconnected Madison County Transit (MCT) Trail network, with more than 138 miles of paved, multi-use trails that stretch through the city and county, offering scenic bikeways that link neighborhoods directly to SIUE’s campus, local parks and Edwardsville’s commercial districts. When it’s time to get out of town, commuters have easy highway access via I-55, I-270 and Illinois Route 157 into downtown St. Louis. For longer trips, you can be at St. Louis’ Lambert International Airport in 30 minutes.
• History Comes Alive: Downtown Edwardsville looks straight out of a storybook. Residents can be found spending Saturday mornings exploring the walkable brick-street downtown area before popping into the Land of Goshen Market for fresh produce. Catch a classic film or live music at the restored Wildey Theatre, take a living-history tour at Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House or cruise down the famed Route 66. After working up an appetite, you’ll find plenty of great restaurants to choose from, including 1818 Chophouse, Cleveland-Health and sweet treats from Chocolate Covered Creations. This community comes together regularly for traditions like the Edwardsville Route 66 Festival and the Leclaire Park Fall Festival.
• Home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE): SIUE serves as a major economic, educational and cultural anchor for the city. With more than 12,000 students, faculty and researchers, the university creates local job opportunities, school spirit through its Division I athletics and arts and culture for the whole community to enjoy. The Gardens at SIUE are a 35-acre arboretum and public garden on campus, with sculpture walks, gardens and peaceful pond views.
• Plenty of Pristine Parks: Outdoor enthusiasts have endless green spaces to explore right at home. The Watershed Nature Center is a 40-plus-acre nature preserve featuring native prairie, wetland habitats, marsh boardwalks and paved walking trails. This summer, an all-abilities playground opened at the N.O. Nelson campus of Lewis & Clark Community College, welcoming kids of all ages and abilities. Nearly two dozen parks around town offer family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, trails, fields and even a splash pad at Leon Corlew Park.
• Edwardsville Is Extremely Family-Friendly: Edwardsville is an ideal place for young and growing families. Education is a massive draw with the Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7. The district consistently earns top marks for academic performance, college readiness, fine arts programs and championship athletics. In fact, it’s one of the most athletically gifted school districts in all of America. It’s no surprise that athletes excel thanks to Edwardsville’s Plummer Family Sports Park. This facility spans more than 80 acres and offers an array of sports fields and amenities for families interested in participating in youth sports leagues. With low crime rates and the nearby Edwardsville Children’s Museum, it’s easy to see why Edwardsville is a great place to raise a family.