Champaign, home to the University of Illinois, blends college-town energy with city amenities. The housing market supports single-family homes, townhomes, and rentals (given student presence). The setting is suburban-urban in character, with moderate density near campus and more yard-space outwards. Because of the educational anchor, the local market has distinctive demand factors. Building new homes may be feasible on outer lots, with cost lower than high-price metro suburbs.