Frequently Asked Questions about Far Southeast Side
What is it like to live in Far Southeast Side, Chicago, IL?
The Far Southeast Side is largely residential and working-class, with many single-family homes alongside industrial corridors near the Calumet River and southern lakefront. Public-transit options are more limited than in central Chicago, so residents rely mainly on buses, commuter rail and private cars for commuting. Housing costs tend to be lower than the city average, crime rates in several neighborhoods are higher than citywide averages, and the area features a mix of protected wetlands and legacy industrial sites.
Is Far Southeast Side, Chicago, IL expensive?
No — the Far Southeast Side is generally more affordable than Chicago overall, with housing costs (both home prices and rents) typically below city medians. Median household incomes are lower and poverty rates higher than the city average, which correlates with lower local housing prices. Affordability varies by neighborhood (for example, South Deering, East Side, Hegewisch) and proximity to transit or redevelopment can raise costs in specific pockets.
What is the weather of Far Southeast Side, Chicago, IL?
The Far Southeast Side has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Winter temperatures commonly range from the teens to low 30s °F (about −10 to 0 °C) with Chicago-average annual snowfall around 30–40 inches, while summer highs typically fall in the 70s–80s °F (20–30 °C). Spring and fall are transitional and can be variable, and Lake Michigan can modestly influence local temperatures and snow patterns.
How safe is Far Southeast Side, Chicago, IL?
Safety varies by neighborhood across the Far Southeast Side; several areas report violent- and property-crime rates higher than the Chicago average, while pockets such as Hegewisch and parts of Calumet Heights have historically recorded lower crime levels. South Deering and Riverdale have experienced elevated violent-crime and homicide rates in recent years. As of 2025, consult the Chicago Police Department crime map and the City of Chicago data portal for current, neighborhood-level statistics before making decisions.