Top 10 Best Suburbs of Chicago

Direct Answer

The Best Overall suburb of Chicago is Naperville, a town of roughly 150,000 in the western suburbs where nationally ranked schools, a celebrated Riverwalk downtown, and crime rates among the lowest of any large U.S. City meet a median home near $560,000. The Best Value pick is Downers Grove, where a walkable downtown, strong schools, and a Metra line into the Loop come with a median home near $420,000 — meaningfully less than Naperville or Hinsdale for comparable quality of life.

This list is built for families and commuters who want top schools, low crime, and a reliable train into downtown Chicago, whether the budget sits near $400,000 or stretches past $1 million. Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from Census, Zillow, Niche, and GreatSchools.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each suburb against what Chicago-area movers actually tell relocation surveys and real-estate agents they care about, leaning on published figures from the U.S. Census, Zillow, Niche, GreatSchools, BestPlaces, and local data. The weighting:

• Affordability and home value — 25%
• School quality — 20%
• Safety and low crime — 20%
• Jobs and commute (Metra access) — 15%
• Amenities and lifestyle — 10%
• Community feel — 10%

A suburb with a beautiful downtown but failing schools, or cheap homes but no train into the Loop, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Naperville 🏆 BEST OVERALL

County: DuPage / Will | Median home: $560,000 | Best for: Families who want top schools, low crime, and a vibrant downtown

Naperville is the most complete suburb in metro Chicago. With a population near 150,000, it pairs the nationally respected Naperville District 203 and Indian Prairie District 204 schools with one of the most charming downtowns in Illinois, centered on the Naperville Riverwalk along the DuPage River.

It routinely ranks as one of the safest cities its size in America, and two Metra stations put downtown Chicago about 45–60 minutes away. Employers, restaurants, Naper Settlement, and an active community calendar round out the appeal. The vibe is polished, family-first, and genuinely walkable downtown.

Pros:

• Among the lowest crime rates of any U.S. City its size
• Nationally ranked District 203 and 204 schools
• Beautiful Riverwalk downtown with dining and festivals
• Two Metra stations into downtown Chicago

Cons:

• Median home near $560,000 is above the metro norm
• Far-flung neighborhoods mean a long commute downtown

Verdict: Naperville wins on balance — safety, schools, downtown charm, and Metra access with no real weak spot.

2. Hinsdale

County: DuPage | Median home: $1,100,000 | Best for: Affluent families who want top schools and a quick express train

Hinsdale is the prestige address of the western suburbs. With about 17,000 residents, it offers a picture-perfect, walkable downtown, historic homes on large lots, and the powerhouse Hinsdale Central High School in District 86. Its BNSF Metra express trains reach Union Station in roughly 30 minutes, the fastest commute on this list.

Crime is very low. The trade-off is cost: a median home near $1.1 million makes Hinsdale the priciest pick here, with many homes well into seven figures.

Pros:

• Top-ranked Hinsdale Central and District 86 schools
• Fast 30-minute BNSF express to Union Station
• Walkable, historic, upscale downtown
• Very low crime and strong community pride

Cons:

• Highest median home price on this list by far
• Property taxes are steep even for the area

Verdict: The prestige pick — unbeatable schools and commute if the budget reaches seven figures.

3. Wilmette

County: Cook | Median home: $850,000 | Best for: North Shore families who want lakefront living and top schools

Wilmette anchors the North Shore along Lake Michigan, with about 27,000 residents and the lakefront Gillson Park and beach as its crown jewel. The feeder schools into New Trier High School — one of the nation's most respected public high schools — drive strong demand.

The Metra Union Pacific North line and the CTA Purple Line both reach downtown in 35–45 minutes. Crime is very low, and the downtown villages of Plaza del Lago and central Wilmette offer walkable shopping. Homes are pricey, reflecting the North Shore premium.

Pros:

• Feeds into nationally ranked New Trier High School
• Lake Michigan beach and Gillson Park
• Both Metra and CTA Purple Line access downtown
• Very low crime and leafy, established neighborhoods

Cons:

• North Shore prices push the median near $850,000
• Lakefront flooding affects some streets in heavy storms

Verdict: The North Shore gem — lakefront living and New Trier schools for those who can pay.

4. Glenview

County: Cook | Median home: $620,000 | Best for: Families who want North Shore quality with more attainable homes

Glenview offers North Shore polish at a slightly gentler price than Wilmette. With about 48,000 residents, it features the master-planned The Glen town center — built on a former naval air station — with shopping, dining, and walkable streets. Schools in Districts 34 and 225 (Glenbrook South) are highly rated, crime is low, and Metra's Milwaukee District North line reaches downtown in about 35 minutes.

The mix of older neighborhoods and newer Glen-area homes gives buyers range.

Pros:

• Highly rated District 34 and Glenbrook South schools
• The Glen town center for walkable shopping and dining
• About a 35-minute Metra commute downtown
• More attainable than Wilmette or Winnetka

Cons:

• Median home near $620,000 still above metro average
• Some neighborhoods sit under O'Hare flight paths

Verdict: The North Shore value play — top schools and amenities for less than the lakefront towns.

5. Western Springs

County: Cook | Median home: $750,000 | Best for: Families who want a tight-knit village and a fast train

Western Springs is a small, close-knit village of about 13,000 in the western suburbs, prized for its safety and community feel. The BNSF Metra line reaches Union Station in roughly 30 minutes, and students feed into the respected Lyons Township High School. The walkable downtown around the old Water Tower is charming, crime is very low, and tree-lined streets give it a timeless feel.

Homes command a premium for the schools and commute, but the village atmosphere is hard to match.

Pros:

• Fast 30-minute BNSF commute to Union Station
• Feeds into well-regarded Lyons Township High School
• Very low crime and strong village community feel
• Charming, walkable downtown around the Water Tower

Cons:

• Median home near $750,000 limits entry buyers
• Small size means fewer in-town conveniences

Verdict: The village pick — tight community, top schools, and a quick train for families who value charm.

6. Lake Forest

County: Lake | Median home: $1,050,000 | Best for: Affluent families who want estate living and lakefront prestige

Lake Forest is the North Shore's most storied suburb, with about 19,000 residents on wooded estate lots along Lake Michigan. The Lake Forest High School and District 67 schools are excellent, the historic Market Square downtown is one of the oldest planned shopping districts in the country, and the Union Pacific North Metra line reaches the city in about 50 minutes.

Crime is very low. Like Hinsdale, the entry price is the catch — a median near $1.05 million with many far higher.

Pros:

• Excellent Lake Forest High School and District 67
• Historic Market Square and lakefront beach access
• Estate-sized lots and timeless architecture
• Very low crime and strong community institutions

Cons:

• Among the priciest medians on this list
• Longer 50-minute Metra commute to downtown

Verdict: The estate pick — prestige, schools, and lakefront for buyers near seven figures.

7. Elmhurst

County: DuPage | Median home: $560,000 | Best for: Families who want a lively downtown and a short express commute

Elmhurst blends a thriving downtown with one of the better commutes in the metro. With about 47,000 residents, it offers a walkable city center packed with restaurants, the Elmhurst Art Museum, and Elmhurst University. The Union Pacific West Metra line reaches Ogilvie in roughly 30 minutes.

Schools in District 205 (York High School) are strong, and crime is low. The mix of vibrant dining and quick downtown access makes it a favorite for younger families and professionals.

Pros:

• Lively, walkable downtown with strong dining
• About a 30-minute express Metra to Ogilvie
• Well-regarded York High School in District 205
• Low crime and active community events

Cons:

• Some neighborhoods sit under O'Hare flight paths
• Older housing stock often needs updating

Verdict: The downtown-energy pick — vibrant dining and a fast train for active families.

8. Clarendon Hills

County: DuPage | Median home: $700,000 | Best for: Families who want a small-village feel beside a fast express line

Clarendon Hills is a compact village of about 9,000 tucked between Hinsdale and Westmont, offering a similar fast BNSF Metra commute — roughly 30 minutes to Union Station — for somewhat less than its famous neighbor. Students feed into Hinsdale Central High School in District 86, a major draw.

The tiny, walkable downtown, low crime, and leafy streets give it a quiet, family-friendly character. Smaller and less flashy than Hinsdale, it's a smart way into the same school system.

Pros:

• Feeds into top-ranked Hinsdale Central High School
• Fast 30-minute BNSF express to Union Station
• Small, walkable downtown and very low crime
• More attainable than neighboring Hinsdale

Cons:

• Very small, with limited in-town amenities
• Median home near $700,000 is still premium

Verdict: The clever pick — Hinsdale schools and commute in a quieter, smaller village.

9. Park Ridge

County: Cook | Median home: $560,000 | Best for: Families who want a walkable downtown close to the city and O'Hare

Park Ridge sits just northwest of Chicago near O'Hare, giving it the shortest distance to the city of any pick here. With about 38,000 residents, it offers the walkable Uptown district, the historic Pickwick Theatre, and the respected Maine South High School in District 207.

The Union Pacific Northwest Metra line reaches Ogilvie in about 25 minutes, and crime is low. Its proximity to O'Hare is both a perk for travelers and the source of some flight noise.

Pros:

• Shortest distance to downtown and O'Hare of the picks
• Walkable Uptown district and historic Pickwick Theatre
• Well-regarded Maine South High School
• About a 25-minute Metra commute to Ogilvie

Cons:

• O'Hare flight noise affects parts of town
• Older homes often command premium prices

Verdict: The close-in pick — city-adjacent walkability and a quick train for commuters and travelers.

10. Downers Grove 💎 BEST VALUE

County: DuPage | Median home: $420,000 | Best for: Buyers who want a walkable downtown and Metra access for less money

Downers Grove delivers the most quality-of-life per dollar on this list. With about 50,000 residents and a median home near $420,000, it undercuts Naperville and Hinsdale while keeping a walkable downtown, strong District 99 (Downers Grove North and South) schools, and excellent commuting — the village has multiple BNSF Metra stations reaching Union Station in roughly 30–40 minutes.

The thriving downtown, the historic Tivoli Theatre, low crime, and a strong community calendar round out a genuinely well-rounded suburb.

Pros:

• Lowest median home of the top picks at $420,000
• Multiple BNSF Metra stations into Union Station
• Walkable downtown with the historic Tivoli Theatre
• Strong District 99 schools and low crime

Cons:

• High school is large; experience varies by campus
• Some busy corridors cut through residential areas

Verdict: The value champion — walkable downtown, strong schools, and great Metra access for noticeably less.

Which Town Is Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Town in the Chicago Suburbs

• Metra line and commute time — The BNSF express (Hinsdale, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove) is the fastest into the Loop; confirm the actual schedule and station distance from the home.
• High school feeder, not just the town — New Trier, Hinsdale Central, Lyons Township, and York drive demand; verify the exact District and feeder school for the address.
• Property taxes — Cook and DuPage County tax bills are among the highest in the nation and vary widely by town; factor them into your true monthly cost.
• O'Hare flight paths — Glenview, Elmhurst, and Park Ridge have areas under approach paths; visit at different times to gauge noise.
• Flood and basement history — Lakefront and low-lying western suburbs can flood in heavy storms; ask for the home's basement and drainage history.
• Downtown vs subdivision feel — Naperville, Elmhurst, and Downers Grove offer walkable cores; others lean more residential and quiet.

What matters less than marketing implies: granite-and-stainless kitchen photos, staged interiors, and brokerage hype. Schools, taxes, commute, and crime shape your life and your wallet far more than a remodeled kitchen.

FAQ

What is the best suburb of Chicago overall? Naperville earns our top spot for combining among the lowest crime of any city its size, nationally ranked District 203 and 204 schools, a celebrated Riverwalk downtown, and two Metra stations into the city.

What is the best-value Chicago suburb? Downers Grove, with a median home near $420,000, delivers a walkable downtown, strong District 99 schools, and multiple BNSF Metra stations for noticeably less than Naperville or Hinsdale.

Which Chicago suburbs have the best schools? Wilmette (New Trier), Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills (Hinsdale Central), Lake Forest, and Naperville all feed into some of the highest-ranked public schools in Illinois.

Which suburb has the fastest commute to downtown Chicago? The BNSF suburbs — Hinsdale, Western Springs, and Clarendon Hills — reach Union Station by express train in about 30 minutes, among the fastest in the metro.

Where should I live for North Shore lakefront living? Wilmette and Lake Forest offer Lake Michigan beaches and prestige, while Glenview delivers North Shore school quality slightly inland for a more attainable price.

Which suburb is closest to the city and O'Hare? Park Ridge sits just northwest of Chicago beside O'Hare, with a walkable Uptown district and a roughly 25-minute Metra commute to Ogilvie.

Bottom Line

For metro Chicago, Naperville is our Best Overall suburb — it wins on safety, nationally ranked schools, a vibrant Riverwalk downtown, and Metra access with no real weak spot. Downers Grove is our Best Value, delivering a walkable downtown, strong District 99 schools, and multiple BNSF stations for a median near $420,000.

If your priorities lean toward North Shore lakefront living, the fastest express commute, or city-adjacent walkability, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Wilmette, Hinsdale, or Park Ridge instead. Buy on schools, taxes, commute, and crime — not staged kitchens — and you'll be happy years down the road.

Sources

• Niche — Best Suburbs to Live in the Chicago Area
• U.S. Census Bureau — Illinois QuickFacts
• Zillow — Chicago suburbs home values and market data
• Realtor.com — Chicago suburbs housing market
• BestPlaces — Chicago suburbs cost of living and crime
• GreatSchools — DuPage, Cook, and Lake County school ratings
• Money / Livability — Best Places to Live rankings
• Metra — commuter rail schedules and lines
• City of Naperville — official site
• Village of Downers Grove — official site

*best suburbs of Chicago review — where to live, rankings, home prices, schools, and a review of the best places to live near Chicago.*