Best suburbs in Chicago taking median home prices, rents and other factors into account
The GI Bill of Rights, Ike’s interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Chicago. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Chicago.
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#25. La Grange Park, Illinois
– Population: 13,332
– Median home value: $394,500
– Median rental price: $1,398
– Top schools nearby: Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Riverside Brookfield Township High School (grade A), Park Junior High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Fenwick High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#24. Bannockburn, Illinois
– Population: 1,065
– Median home value: $1,027,400
– Median rental price: $1,388
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Lake Forest High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#23. Lake Bluff, Illinois
– Population: 5,919
– Median home value: $722,300
– Median rental price: $1,845
– Top schools nearby: Lake Forest High School (grade A+), Lake Bluff Middle School (grade A), Lake Bluff Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#22. Riverside, Illinois
– Population: 9,225
– Median home value: $471,100
– Median rental price: $1,432
– Top schools nearby: Riverside Brookfield Township High School (grade A), A.F. Ames Elementary School (grade A), Central Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Fenwick High School (grade A+), St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#21. Burr Ridge, Illinois
– Population: 11,131
– Median home value: $706,400
– Median rental price: $2,371
– Top schools nearby: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Elm Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A), Benet Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: A
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#20. Oak Park, Illinois
– Population: 53,834
– Median home value: $440,500
– Median rental price: $1,409
– Top schools nearby: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), Oak Park & River Forest High School (grade A+), DeVry University Advantage Academy High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Saint Ignatius College Prep (grade A+), The Chicago Academy for the Arts (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#19. Libertyville, Illinois
– Population: 20,555
– Median home value: $488,800
– Median rental price: $1,453
– Top schools nearby: Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Rondout Elementary School (grade A+), Libertyville High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#18. Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
– Population: 9,111
– Median home value: $580,400
– Median rental price: $3,501
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A), Prairie Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Carmel Catholic High School (grade A), St. Viator High School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#17. Elmhurst, Illinois
– Population: 45,648
– Median home value: $516,900
– Median rental price: $1,843
– Top schools nearby: York Community High School (grade A+), Hawthorne Elementary School (grade A), Field Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Northridge Preparatory School (grade A+), Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), Fenwick High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#16. Highland Park, Illinois
– Population: 30,209
– Median home value: $593,000
– Median rental price: $1,904
– Top schools nearby: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
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#15. Lisle, Illinois
– Population: 23,499
– Median home value: $401,000
– Median rental price: $1,485
– Top schools nearby: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (grade A+), Naperville North High School (grade A+), Naperville Central High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#14. Barrington, Illinois
– Population: 11,244
– Median home value: $543,700
– Median rental price: $1,726
– Top schools nearby: Barrington High School (grade A+), Grove Avenue Elementary School (grade A+), Hough Street Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Elgin Academy (grade A+), The Einstein Academy (grade A+), Schaumburg Christian School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#13. Glenview, Illinois
– Population: 47,896
– Median home value: $590,600
– Median rental price: $1,950
– Top schools nearby: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#12. Wilmette, Illinois
– Population: 27,801
– Median home value: $771,500
– Median rental price: $1,918
– Top schools nearby: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Niles North High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#11. Lincolnshire, Illinois
– Population: 7,907
– Median home value: $598,100
– Median rental price: $2,799
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Bannockburn School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
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#10. Western Springs, Illinois
– Population: 13,557
– Median home value: $680,900
– Median rental price: $1,871
– Top schools nearby: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Oak Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#9. Deerfield, Illinois
– Population: 19,173
– Median home value: $594,000
– Median rental price: $2,225
– Top schools nearby: Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Highland Park High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#8. Riverwoods, Illinois
– Population: 4,007
– Median home value: $776,900
– Median rental price: $3,500
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#7. Northbrook, Illinois
– Population: 34,950
– Median home value: $621,600
– Median rental price: $1,998
– Top schools nearby: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#6. Kildeer, Illinois
– Population: 4,133
– Median home value: $683,900
– Median rental price: $961
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A), Prairie Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Carmel Catholic High School (grade A), Schaumburg Christian School (grade A), St. Viator High School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: A
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#5. Vernon Hills, Illinois
– Population: 26,750
– Median home value: $370,700
– Median rental price: $1,873
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Libertyville High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Christian Heritage Academy (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#4. Buffalo Grove, Illinois
– Population: 42,934
– Median home value: $380,700
– Median rental price: $1,988
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Buffalo Grove High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#3. Hinsdale, Illinois
– Population: 17,169
– Median home value: $962,700
– Median rental price: $1,875
– Top schools nearby: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Westmont High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#2. Long Grove, Illinois
– Population: 8,279
– Median home value: $721,100
– Median rental price: $3,501
– Top schools nearby: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+), Carmel Catholic High School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#1. Clarendon Hills, Illinois
– Population: 8,658
– Median home value: $570,600
– Median rental price: $1,126
– Top schools nearby: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Westmont High School (grade A+), Walker School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Nazareth Academy (grade A), Benet Academy (grade A), Hinsdale Adventist Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: C+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
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By Stacker
