The 10 Best Suburbs Near Chicago, Illinois in 2027
The 10 Best Suburbs Near Chicago, Illinois in 2027
Direct Answer
The best suburb near Chicago overall is Naperville, where a median home price around $525,000 buys nationally ranked schools, a celebrated Riverwalk, and a 35-mile Metra commute into the Loop. The best value pick is Arlington Heights, where the median sits near $400,000 with strong schools, a walkable downtown, and a direct Metra line to downtown Chicago.
This list is for families and commuters who want top schools and transit access without Chicago's city taxes and density. The Chicago metro is built around one of the most extensive commuter-rail networks in the country, so the best suburbs are usually defined by their Metra line and their school district as much as by their price.
Every suburb below is a real municipality in the metro, ranked on median home price, school ratings, Metra commute, and downtown amenities, with the strongest all-around performer first.
1. Naperville 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Naperville, about 33 miles west of the Loop in DuPage and Will counties, is repeatedly ranked among the best places to live in America. The median home price is roughly $525,000, and its two school districts, 203 and 204, are among the highest-rated in Illinois.
The 1.75-mile Riverwalk, a vibrant downtown, and North Central College give it genuine destination appeal. The BNSF Metra line runs into Union Station in about 40 to 55 minutes. It is best for families who want the metro's strongest schools, a true downtown, and reliable rail commuting in one package, with everything from townhomes to large single-family homes.
2. Hinsdale
Hinsdale, about 18 miles southwest of the Loop, has a median home price near $1.1 million and is one of the wealthiest, most established commuter suburbs, known for stately homes and tree-lined streets. Hinsdale Central High School is among the top public schools in the state.
The BNSF Metra line reaches downtown in about 30 to 40 minutes. Hinsdale suits high earners who want a short, classic rail commute, top schools, and a refined village downtown with upscale shops and restaurants.
3. Arlington Heights 💎 BEST VALUE
Arlington Heights, about 25 miles northwest of the Loop, offers the best value here, with a median home price near $400,000, a lively walkable downtown, and strong District 214 high schools. The Union Pacific Northwest Metra line serves it directly.
The downtown has been revitalized with restaurants, a theater, and condos, and the former Arlington racetrack site is slated for major redevelopment. Commutes to downtown run 40 to 50 minutes by rail. For buyers who want a transit-rich, walkable suburb at a moderate price, this is the standout.
4. Evanston
Evanston, immediately north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, has a median home price near $475,000 and is home to Northwestern University. It is the most urban suburb here, with beaches, a dense downtown, and both Metra and CTA "L" service.
Commutes downtown run 25 to 40 minutes by rail. Evanston suits buyers who want lakefront living, a college-town energy, and the shortest, most transit-rich connection to the city, with a mix of historic homes, condos, and apartments.
5. Wilmette
Wilmette, about 14 miles north of the Loop on the lake, has a median home price near $800,000 and feeds the highly regarded New Trier Township High School. The Baha'i House of Worship and lakefront Gillson Park are landmarks.
The Union Pacific North Metra line reaches downtown in about 30 to 40 minutes. Wilmette is best for families who want top North Shore schools and lakefront access close to the city, with established neighborhoods and a quiet village feel.
6. Western Springs
Western Springs, about 15 miles west of the Loop, has a median home price near $700,000 and a compact, walkable downtown built around its Metra station. It is a quiet, family-focused village feeding strong Lyons Township schools.
The BNSF Metra line reaches downtown in about 30 to 40 minutes. Western Springs suits families who want a small-village feel with a fast, classic rail commute and a tight-knit community.
7. Glenview
Glenview, about 17 miles north of the Loop, offers a median home price near $650,000 and The Glen, a large mixed-use development built on a former naval air station with shops, parks, and its own Metra station. Schools are strongly rated.
Commutes downtown run 30 to 45 minutes via the Milwaukee District North line. Glenview is best for families who want a planned town center, parks, and reliable North Shore-adjacent commuting.
8. La Grange
La Grange, about 14 miles southwest of the Loop, has a median home price near $550,000 and one of the most charming downtowns in the western suburbs, with a historic theater and walkable shops. Lyons Township schools serve the area.
The BNSF Metra line reaches downtown in about 25 to 35 minutes, among the shortest here. La Grange suits buyers who want a lively, walkable village and a quick rail commute, with a mix of vintage and updated homes.
9. Wheaton
Wheaton, about 25 miles west of the Loop, has a median home price near $475,000 and a college-town feel anchored by Wheaton College. It feeds strong District 200 schools and offers extensive parks and the Illinois Prairie Path.
Commutes downtown run 45 to 55 minutes on the Union Pacific West line. Wheaton is best for families who want a green, college-town suburb with solid schools and trails at a moderate price.
10. Park Ridge
Park Ridge, about 15 miles northwest of the Loop next to O'Hare Airport, rounds out the list with a median home price near $525,000 and the highly rated Maine South High School. The Uptown district provides a walkable center.
The Union Pacific Northwest Metra line reaches downtown in about 30 to 40 minutes, and O'Hare is minutes away. Park Ridge suits families and frequent flyers who want strong schools and unbeatable airport proximity.
What to Know Before You Buy
Illinois carries some of the highest property taxes in the country, often 2 to 2.5 percent of a home's value and sometimes higher in certain townships, so the annual tax bill can rival a second mortgage payment. On an $800,000 Wilmette home, taxes can exceed $16,000 a year. Buyers should always pull the actual tax history for a specific property rather than relying on a percentage estimate, because rates vary widely between townships and school districts.
The Metra commuter-rail system is the backbone of suburban life here, and a suburb's value is closely tied to how fast and how frequently its line reaches downtown. The BNSF line through Hinsdale, Western Springs, and La Grange and the Union Pacific lines through Wilmette and Arlington Heights are among the busiest and most convenient.
A home within walking distance of a station typically commands a premium and is far easier to resell.
School districts are the other major price driver. New Trier (Wilmette), Naperville's districts 203 and 204, and Hinsdale Central are statewide leaders, and homes zoned to them hold value through market cycles. Confirm the exact attendance boundary before buying, since some villages span more than one district.
How to Choose
- Prioritize schools and target Naperville (203/204), New Trier (Wilmette), and Hinsdale Central, all among the top in Illinois.
- Prioritize commute with the fastest rail lines: La Grange, Evanston, and Hinsdale all reach downtown in 25 to 40 minutes.
- Prioritize budget and Arlington Heights, Wheaton, and Evanston offer the lowest medians here.
- Prioritize the lake with Evanston and Wilmette on Lake Michigan.
- Prioritize the airport with Park Ridge, minutes from O'Hare.
FAQ
Which Chicago suburb has the best schools? Naperville's districts 203 and 204, New Trier Township High School (Wilmette), and Hinsdale Central consistently rank among the highest-performing public schools in Illinois.
Which Chicago suburb offers the best value? Arlington Heights offers strong value, pairing a walkable downtown and good District 214 schools with a median home price near $400,000, well below the North Shore and western premium villages.
Which suburb has the fastest train to downtown Chicago? La Grange, Hinsdale, and Evanston offer some of the shortest Metra rides, reaching downtown stations in roughly 25 to 40 minutes on the BNSF and Union Pacific lines.
Which suburb is best for families wanting a walkable downtown? Arlington Heights, La Grange, and Naperville all feature lively, walkable downtowns with restaurants, theaters, and shops built around their Metra stations, making car-free errands and dining easy.
Bottom Line
For the best overall combination of schools, commute, and amenities, Naperville leads metro Chicago at a median near $525,000. For the best value, Arlington Heights pairs a walkable, transit-rich downtown with a median around $400,000.
Sources
- Illinois State Board of Education school report cards
- Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) MLS price reports
- Niche.com "Best Suburbs of Chicago" rankings
- Metra commuter rail schedules and line maps
- City of Naperville and Village of Arlington Heights official sites
- U.S. News & World Report best high schools
- U.S. Census Bureau metro estimates