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Top 10 Best Suburbs of Chicago

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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:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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:

Cons:

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

Which Town Is Right for You?

flowchart TD A[Start: What matters most?] --- B{North Shore or western suburbs?} B -- North Shore --- C{Budget over 900k?} C -- Yes --- D[Pick 3 Wilmette or Pick 6 Lake Forest] C -- No --- E[Pick 4 Glenview] B -- Western suburbs --- F{Best value or fastest train?} F -- Best value --- G[Pick 10 Downers Grove] F -- Fastest express train --- H{Budget over 900k?} H -- Yes --- I[Pick 2 Hinsdale] H -- No --- J[Pick 8 Clarendon Hills or Pick 5 Western Springs] B -- Close to city and O'Hare --- K[Pick 9 Park Ridge] A --- L{Want it all: schools, downtown, safety?} L -- Yes --- M[Pick 1 Naperville or Pick 7 Elmhurst]

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

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

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

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