The 10 Best Suburbs of Chicago for Families and Schools in 2027
The 10 Best Suburbs of Chicago for Families and Schools in 2027
Direct Answer
The Best Overall Chicago suburb for families is Naperville, with a violent-crime rate near 0.6 per 1,000 residents, two A+ high schools, and a median home price around $485,000. The Best Value pick is Downers Grove, where families get strong District 99 schools and Metra access at a median home price near $420,000 with a violent-crime rate around 0.9 per 1,000.
This list is for families relocating to the Chicago metro who want to balance safety, school quality, commute, and cost, across a price range of about $400,000 to over $1 million. Every suburb below is a real, incorporated municipality in the Chicago metropolitan area, ranked using local police and FBI crime data, Niche and Illinois Report Card school ratings, and Zillow/Redfin median home values.
1. Naperville 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Naperville, 28 miles west of the Loop, is the benchmark Chicago family suburb. Its violent-crime rate near 0.6 per 1,000 is among the lowest for any city its size, and the famous Riverwalk anchors a lively downtown.
Naperville Central and Naperville North both earn A+ Niche grades, served by Districts 203 and 204, which post top-tier state proficiency. Median home prices around $485,000 buy family homes near two Metra stations into Chicago.
Naperville is for families who want elite schools, low crime, and direct rail to the city, and can manage DuPage County property taxes. The downtown Riverwalk, built for the city's 1981 sesquicentennial, runs along the DuPage River and connects parks, fountains, and the Naper Settlement museum.
Two BNSF Metra stations offer frequent express service, and the city has been repeatedly named among the best places to live in the country by national publications.
2. Hinsdale
Hinsdale, about 18 miles from downtown, is an affluent western suburb with a violent-crime rate near 0.5 per 1,000. The village is known for stately homes and a walkable, train-served downtown.
Hinsdale Central High School (District 86) is consistently among Illinois' top public schools, with very high test scores and college placement. Median home prices are steep, around $900,000.
Hinsdale fits families with the budget for a premium, established suburb with one of the strongest public high schools in the state. The village sits on the BNSF line with three stations and is bisected by historic districts of large, architecturally distinct homes. Its compact downtown supports independent shops and restaurants within walking distance of the train, a feature that keeps demand and prices high.
3. Wheaton
Wheaton, in DuPage County west of the city, has a violent-crime rate near 0.7 per 1,000 and a historic, college-town feel anchored by Wheaton College. Population is about 53,000.
District 200 schools serving Wheaton, including Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South, earn strong Niche grades. Median home prices sit near $470,000.
Wheaton is for families who want a walkable downtown, strong schools, and a slightly more traditional feel than newer suburbs. The city is the DuPage County seat and sits on the Union Pacific West Metra line, with a compact downtown of shops and the Cosley Zoo nearby. The Illinois Prairie Path, a former rail corridor turned trail, runs through town and is popular with cycling and running families.
4. Downers Grove 💎 BEST VALUE
Downers Grove, about 22 miles west of the Loop, gives families strong schools and Metra access at a more accessible price — a median home near $420,000. Violent crime runs near 0.9 per 1,000.
Downers Grove North and South (District 99) earn solid Niche grades, and the village has three Metra stations and a vibrant downtown. The value comes from the combination of safety, schools, and commute at a lower entry price than Naperville or Hinsdale.
This is the Best Value pick for families who want a true Chicago commuter suburb without the premium-suburb price. The village's three BNSF Metra stations (Main Street, Belmont, and Fairview) give nearly every neighborhood a short walk to the train. The downtown around Main Street has restaurants, the historic Tivoli Theatre, and a summer concert series, giving families a walkable core without the price premium of Hinsdale or Naperville.
5. Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights, a large northwest suburb, has a violent-crime rate near 0.7 per 1,000 and a thriving downtown with Metra access. Population is about 77,000.
District 214 high schools, including John Hersey and Buffalo Grove, are well-rated. Median home prices sit near $450,000.
Arlington Heights is for families who want a lively, walkable suburb on the northwest side with good schools and shorter trains to the city. The downtown has been redeveloped with apartments, a theater, and restaurants clustered around the Metra station on the Union Pacific Northwest line.
The village also drew national attention for a proposed Chicago Bears stadium on the former Arlington Park racetrack site, which could reshape its commercial base.
6. Glenview
Glenview, on the North Shore, posts a violent-crime rate near 0.6 per 1,000 and offers a redeveloped town center (The Glen). Population is about 48,000.
Glenbrook South High School (District 225) is among the state's best, with high test scores. Median home prices sit near $650,000.
Glenview fits families who want North Shore schools and a planned town center with parks and shopping. The Glen, built on the former Glenview Naval Air Station, added housing, a Metra station, and the Kohl Children's Museum to a once-industrial site. The village sits within easy reach of both the Edens Expressway and Tri-State Tollway, making it convenient for commuters headed downtown or to the northern suburbs.
7. Naperville-adjacent Lisle
Lisle, between Naperville and Downers Grove, has a violent-crime rate near 0.8 per 1,000 and bills itself as the "Arboretum Village" near the Morton Arboretum. Population is about 23,000.
Schools split between Districts 203 and 202; Naperville Central serves part of Lisle, an academic draw. Median home prices around $400,000 are attractive for the corridor.
Lisle is for families who want proximity to Naperville's amenities and some of its schools at a lower price point.
8. Park Ridge
Park Ridge, just northwest of O'Hare and close to the city, has a violent-crime rate near 0.7 per 1,000 and a classic, walkable downtown (Uptown). Population is about 38,000.
Maine South High School (District 207) is highly rated, with strong academics and athletics. Median home prices sit near $560,000.
Park Ridge is for families who want the shortest commute on this list and a tight, traditional suburb close to the city. Its Uptown district centers on the historic Pickwick Theatre, an Art Deco landmark, and sits beside a Metra station on the Union Pacific Northwest line. Proximity to O'Hare International Airport is a convenience for travelers, though families should check flight-path noise for specific blocks.
9. Western Springs
Western Springs, a small western suburb, posts a very low violent-crime rate near 0.4 per 1,000 and a tree-lined, village feel. Population is about 13,000.
Students attend Lyons Township High School (District 204), a large, strong school. Median home prices around $700,000 reflect the premium, established character.
Western Springs is for families who want a quiet, small-village atmosphere with very low crime and a respected high school.
10. Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills, in Lake County north of the city, has a violent-crime rate near 0.8 per 1,000 and a retail-rich, planned-community feel. Population is about 26,000.
Vernon Hills High School (District 128) earns strong Niche marks. Median home prices sit near $430,000, reasonable for the area.
Vernon Hills is for families who want newer housing, good schools, and shopping in Lake County.
How to Choose
- Map the school district to the address, not the town. Chicago suburbs often span multiple districts (Lisle and Naperville share boundaries); confirm the assigned schools before buying.
- Prioritize the Metra line and station distance. Commute time to the Loop varies widely; a home near a UP-W or BNSF station is far more valuable for working parents.
- Budget for DuPage, Lake, or Cook County property taxes, which are among the nation's highest and differ by county and district.
- Compare downtown walkability. Naperville, Hinsdale, and Park Ridge have lively, walkable cores; some newer suburbs are more car-dependent.
- Tour in winter and summer. Chicago weather is a real factor; check snow handling, flooding, and how neighborhoods feel across seasons.
FAQ
Which Chicago suburb has the best public high school? Hinsdale Central, Glenbrook South (Glenview), and the two Naperville high schools are all routinely among Illinois' best. For a family weighing schools plus overall safety and value, Naperville's combination is why it's ranked Best Overall.
What's the most affordable safe suburb here? Lisle and Downers Grove have the lowest median prices, near $400,000–$420,000. Downers Grove is the Best Value pick because it adds three Metra stations and a strong downtown to that price.
How bad are Chicago-suburb property taxes? They're high — Illinois has some of the highest effective property-tax rates in the country, often well above 2% of value depending on county and district. Families should request the actual tax bill for any specific home, since it can add many thousands per year.
Which suburb has the shortest commute to downtown? Park Ridge is closest to the city among these picks, with Metra access and proximity to expressways. North Shore suburbs like Glenview also offer relatively short trains, while Naperville is farther out but has frequent express service.
Bottom Line
For the best overall mix of low crime, elite schools, and rail access, Naperville leads with violent crime near 0.6 per 1,000 and median homes around $485,000. For families watching the budget, Downers Grove is the Best Value at roughly $420,000 with strong District 99 schools and three Metra stations.
Sources
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program — suburban agency crime data
- Illinois Report Card (Illinois State Board of Education) — school performance
- Niche — Best Suburbs of Chicago and school rankings (2026–2027)
- GreatSchools.org — individual school ratings
- Zillow Home Value Index — median home prices by suburb
- Redfin Data Center — median sale prices
- Metra — commuter rail line and station information
- Local police department crime reports (Naperville PD, Hinsdale PD, Glenview PD)