.jpg){kind=avatar}
Are you trying to beat the craziness and noise of Chicago without altogether leaving the state? There are a few hacks to this, and it's the suburbs!
Your thoughts are loud and clear: suburbs lack an excellent city vibe and can be tedious, especially for someone with an active lifestyle. However, you will discover the top 10 suburbs near Chicago with a bit of city vibes, a blend of calm, and loads of amenities.
Specific parameters like safety, cost of living, median annual income, housing value, and public school ratings were considered while creating this list.
Whether you're a single young adult or a family looking to have a feel of Chicago, you will find the perfect suburb near the windy city right for you.
Quick Overview
● Glenview | Suburb for Shoppers
● Naperville | Perfect for Families
● Evanston | Best for Social Networking and Relationships
● Oak Park | Suitable for Young Professionals and Growing Families
● Buffalo Grove | Top-Rated Public Schools
● Hinsdale | Best for Affluent Families
● Park Ridge | Perfect for Young Families
● Wilmette | Safest Suburb
● Highland Park | Home to Many Retirees
● Willow Springs | Best People Looking for A Quiet Lifestyle
1. Glenview
You should get the idea of suburbs being a town with few amenities and resources out of your head before entering Glenview. This town is one of the rapidly growing suburbs near Chicago, Illinois.
Glenview should be your stop if you love shopping and prefer your expenses lower than core Chicago. There are many restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques—and then some.
To make your transition into this suburb seamless, check out some of the top moving companies Chicago offers. They could help move all your properties and give you insights to improve your stay.
Being a golf fan is also accessible here; there are four clubs. Then, you have terrific top schools for your kids and the Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago.
● Population: 48,705
● Crime rate: Very Low
● Average Home Rent: $2,341
● Average Home Sale Price: $500,000
● Median Household Income: $123,771
● Known For: Plenty of Shopping Options, High Housing Cost
2. Naperville
Sitting about 30 miles west of Chicago lies one of the largest cities in the country—the third-largest in the state.
Naperville has tons to offer all its residents, from fantastic dining restaurants to an attractive historic district and an almost unbeatable transport system. Living in this suburb means accessing significant highways as drivers and multiple train stations as public commuters.
There's a common brag with residents in Naperville: the suburb has all the amenities of a modern city without missing the wit of a small town. Coming here with kids as a family means you will have plenty of good schools and access to one of the best libraries in the country.
Although, the cost of living might be on the upside compared to the national average. But, compared with the average price of residing in Chicago, Illinois, Naperville is 25% cheaper.
● Population: 148,540
● Crime rate: Low
● Average Home Rent: $1,931
● Average Home Value: $575,000
● Median Household Income: $143,754
● Known For: Vast Library Catalog, Bustling Suburb
3. Evanston
Home to one of the best colleges in the U.S., Northwestern University, Evanston is what anyone would describe as "Chicago Lite." This suburb on Lake Michigan offers a unique blend of collegiate seriousness and a socially conscious attitude.
Being only about 12 miles from Downtown Chicago or a 23-minute drive away, Evanston is usually ranked as one of the best Chicago suburbs. Various outdoor activities, an inclusive and welcoming demographic, and beautiful historic homes exist.
The crime rate is relatively low in this suburb, and with the perks of good schools around, it is a perfect place to raise children as a family.
● Population: 75,544
● Crime rate: Low
● Average Home Rent: $2,424
● Average Home Sale Price: $400,500
● Median Household Income: $146,516
● Known For: High Hospitality, Historic Homes
Ready to find your dream home in Colorado?
Let us help you. Call or Text Kenna Real Estate Group at 303-955-4220 to get personalized assistance from our expert real estate agents. Find out what your home is worth in today's market.
4. Oak Park
Oak Park should be on your list if you are looking for a place fit for professionals and a growing family with a nice blend of historical diversity. This suburb is about a 16-minute drive from Chicago, and it offers a similar urban feel with excellent outdoor options.
This village has many historic architectural footprints, from private homes to school designs and other public structures. Oak Park is famous for being the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway and home to Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio—history is everywhere.
The crime rate is moderate here, but you can walk through the village occasionally. Coming here with children, you can be sure of putting them in top-rated public and private schools.
● Population: 54,583
● Crime rate: Medium
● Average Home Rent: $2,149
● Average Home Sale Price: $292,500
● Median Household Income: $103,264
● Known For: Rich Heritage, Large Village
5. Buffalo Grove
Being a relatively large town in the Northwestern part of downtown Chicago, it is about 48 minutes of drive time from the city. Choosing this suburb means signing up for affordable housing compared to other affluent areas.
Buffalo Grove is famous for its excellent schools. With high-rated public institutions like Stevenson High School, it ranked 7th in all of Illinois.
Although the town isn't famous for its central district, you will find plenty of shopping and dining areas. To make your stay more fun in Buffalo Grove, partake in the end-of-summer festival celebration that brings live music, food, and unique rides.
● Population: 42,569
● Crime rate: Low
● Average Home Rent: $1,951
● Average Home Sale Price: $351,600
● Median Household Income: $148,000
● Known For: Highly-rated Schools, Wide Trail Lines for Exploration
6. Hinsdale
Sitting on the BNSF Metra Line in DuPage and Cook counties, Hinsdale is 20 miles outside Chicago and offers a historic and robust vibe.
In this suburb, you will find over 100 local shops with designer boutiques and fine dining restaurants. As a newbie in Hinsdale, you can spend an entire day moving between shops, salons, and coffee stops.
If you like taking frequent picnics, Hinsdale's unique terrain gifts you the opportunity compared to the regular flat lands of Illinois. You can visit famous tourist attraction sites like Ty Warner Park and Graue Mill and Museum to have a good time here.
The crime rate here is meager, and it's understandable as it's a pricey suburb. Housing value and rentals are on the high side, but the average household income should be able to give you a comfortable living.
● Population: 17,395
● Crime rate: Very Low
● Average Home Rent: $1,827
● Average Home Sale Price: $1,200,000
● Median Household Income: $340,370
● Known For: Wealthy Suburb, Plethora of Shops,
Ready to find your dream home in Colorado?
Let us help you. Call or Text Kenna Real Estate Group at 303-955-4220 to get personalized assistance from our expert real estate agents. Find out what your home is worth in today's market.
7. Park Ridge
Another affluent suburb near Chicago is the Park Ridge in Cook County. The proximity of the 1-90 expressway and the O'Hare International Airport is a plus for many residents.
As a young adult in this area, the fine line of restaurants, shops, and boutiques is a worthwhile attraction. The public and private schools are A+ rated, which is excellent for a younger family demographic.
If you do not have kids or a partner, the average commute time to any nearby fun part in central Chicago is 27 minutes. It's easy to make a quick stop for a fun time alone.
● Population: 38,278
● Crime rate: Low
● Average Home Rent: $2,685
● Average Home Sale Price: $535,000
● Median Household Income: $162,135
● Known For: Art Deco Style Pickwick Theater
8. Wilmette
Known for its beautiful lakefront homes, green scenery, tree-lined streets, and the stunning Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette is another one of the affluent suburbs of Chicago.
A major attraction for tourists and new residents is the safety that comes with the shores of Wilmette. Ranking as the third safest area in all of Illinois, the area has become a magnet for families with a high budget for standard living.
Before moving here, understand that the cost of living is higher than the average in Illinois.
● Population: 27,264
● Crime rate: Low
● Average Home Rent: $3,830
● Average Home Sale Price: $752,500
● Median Household Income: $260,602
● Known For: Beautiful Attractions, Pricey Real Estate
9. Highland Park
About 27 miles from Downtown Chicago and 36 minutes commuting by car, Highland Park lies on the shores of Lake Michigan.
This suburb offers a unique triple threat plus to its residents:
- Top-rated schools
- A diverse cultural scene
- A walkable neighborhood with lovely shops blocks from the beach
If you enjoy town festivities, you can catch the Favinia Festival on summer nights for live music in the arena or on the streets.
● Population: 30,176
● Crime rate: Low
● Average Home Rent: $3,486
● Average Home Sale Price: $450,000
● Median Household Income: $231,546
● Known For: Favinia Festival
10. Willow Springs
The perfect village for people trying to get away from it all!
If the forests, parks, and natural scenery are your thing, consider Willow Springs. This suburb is peaceful, quiet, and much safer than the average town in Illinois.
Living in Chicago suburbs like this means you will know almost every one of your neighbors. Being a village of only about four square miles, everything you need is within reach, but you will only get some big city cities.
● Population: 5,857
● Crime rate: Very Low
● Average Home Rent: $2,630
● Average Home Sale Price: $365,000
● Median Household Income: $128,266
● Known For: Natural Scenery, Forest Reserves
Final Words
Whether it's the quiet or an active lifestyle you're trying to cultivate in Chicago, there's a suburb for you. If you are trying to reduce your expenses and cut your living costs, you can pick from any of the top 10 suburbs near Chicago.
Although many still have the affluent city vibe, it is still, on average, more affordable than residing in the core city center of Chicago.