With a 130k income, you're right on target for purchasing a home in Illinois. Financial advisors recommend spending about 3 to 4 times your annual income on a home, which translates to a budget between $390,000 and $520,000.

In Chicago, the median home price is approximately $400,000, fitting neatly within your target range. This balance ensures a wide variety of quality homes are available to you.

Additionally, other cities like Aurora and Naperville offer appealing options at around $350,000. With a property tax rate of 2.35%—amounting to roughly $9,400 per year—and a cost of living near the national average, your income comfortably supports homeownership across the state.