Aurora has plenty to offer, but the price of admission usually comes with traffic, sky-high rent, and a calendar that fills itself.
If you want the upside of Aurora without the daily grind, the answer is almost always a good suburb. The catch: not every suburb is worth the move.
So we ranked them. Using Saturday Night Science, we pulled the numbers on every place within commuting distance of Aurora: incomes, home prices, unemployment, schools, the works. The result is a no-nonsense ranking of where you actually want to live.
$230,255 median income · $863,783 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
Western Springs is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Aurora area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome Western Springs.”
Everyone here is rich; families average $230,255 a year, which is the 2nd highest in the Aurora region. And only 3.1% are out of work. Homes average more than $863,783 each.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$153,686 median income · $547,998 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
Riverside is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Aurora for 2026.
It ranks 14th for incomes in the area and only 0.8% of residents lack insurance, good for 5th best.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$250,001 median income · $1,244,308 median home price
Located in
DuPage County, Illinois
Here in Hinsdale, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the Aurora metro area.
The bad side? Schools are more crowded, and the cost of living puts a large part of the city out of reach for most families.
But price is based on demand and a lot of people want to live in Hinsdale.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$159,929 median income · $639,655 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
La Grange ranks as the 4th best suburb of Aurora for 2026.
You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in La Grange and the schools are some of the best around.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$174,458 median income · $743,157 median home price
Coming in as the fifth best is Deer Park.
Deer Park gets kudos for having the 9th most expensive homes in the Aurora area, where houses sell for an average of $743,157. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$161,719 median income · $755,393 median home price
Wayne is proud of its 6th place finish on this list. And here’s why.
Most residents have great jobs and the unemployment rate sits at 2.7%.
According to online reports, Wayne is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Aurora area, meaning you need to get in soon.
$221,575 median income · $1,108,365 median home price
The 7th best suburb on our list goes to South Barrington.
South Barrington schools are some of the best in the region, and crime is really low. The cost of living makes it a lot more desirable for many families, especially first-time home buyers.
And, it’s only 23.5 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$140,865 median income · $440,656 median home price
Located in
Will County, Illinois
New Lenox is growing quickly, and for a good reason. Crime is far below average, and most residents are gainfully employed. Even the cost of living is reasonable.
A solid 1.6% of people lack insurance, good for 11th in the area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$144,341 median income · $532,206 median home price
Located in
Kane County, Illinois
Is ‘Everything Better In Geneva?’
Almost.
It placed 9th on our list thanks to the fact that it’s really expensive to live here, but the schools are great, so you get what you pay for in that regard.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$142,986 median income · $564,905 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
And rounding out the top ten for 2026 is Park Ridge.
This city is far above average in every category, and the best part? It’s far more affordable than the other cities listed above. So, you get a big bang for your buck here.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Illinois’s statewide median.
Illinois statewide median: $83,390
Illinois statewide median: $285,736
Illinois statewide median: 5.8%
Illinois statewide median: 11.8%
On the map
Where the best Aurora suburbs are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How we determined the best suburbs around Aurora for 2026
Figuring out the best suburbs around Aurora was simple. We used Saturday Night Science to find things people like about living in the suburbs and then locate the suburbs with those things.
We analyzed the newest American Community Survey data for 2020-2024 to research each suburb. We decided upon the following criteria:
- Low unemployment rate
- High median household incomes
- Population density (lots of things to do)
- High home values
- A lot of college-educated people
- Low poverty
- High rate of insured families
We defined a suburb as being within 30 miles of Aurora.
Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 142 suburbs to evaluate around Aurora.
We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 142 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each place to create a quality-of-life index.
Finally, we crowned the city with the best quality of life index, the “Best Suburb near Aurora.” We’re lookin’ at you, Western Springs.
This result may differ from our state-wide data as we did not include commute times and crime for this analysis to allow for a more extensive selection of suburbs.
We updated the data for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the best Aurora suburbs. Skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.
The full plate
Table: Best Aurora Suburbs
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Suburb Score | Population | Median Income | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Springs | 10.86 | 13,446 | $230,255 | $863,783 |
| 2 | Riverside | 17.57 | 9,039 | $153,686 | $547,998 |
| 3 | Hinsdale | 20.00 | 17,175 | $250,001 | $1,244,308 |
| 4 | La Grange | 22.36 | 15,998 | $159,929 | $639,655 |
| 5 | Deer Park | 24.36 | 3,711 | $174,458 | $743,157 |
| 6 | Wayne | 27.64 | 2,562 | $161,719 | $755,393 |
| 7 | South Barrington | 29.93 | 5,021 | $221,575 | $1,108,365 |
| 8 | New Lenox | 31.00 | 28,006 | $140,865 | $440,656 |
| 9 | Geneva | 32.00 | 21,258 | $144,341 | $532,206 |
| 10 | Park Ridge | 32.64 | 38,667 | $142,986 | $564,905 |
| 11 | La Grange Park | 34.14 | 13,447 | $120,408 | $480,916 |
| 12 | Inverness | 35.36 | 7,275 | $207,434 | $787,210 |
| 13 | Barrington | 35.43 | 11,077 | $147,989 | $613,360 |
| 14 | Wheaton | 36.07 | 53,557 | $120,008 | $501,273 |
| 15 | Frankfort | 36.50 | 20,651 | $154,375 | $487,132 |
| 16 | Naperville | 36.79 | 150,692 | $155,105 | $610,454 |
| 17 | River Forest | 37.86 | 11,992 | $146,786 | $716,652 |
| 18 | Batavia | 38.14 | 27,151 | $120,056 | $453,319 |
| 19 | Burr Ridge | 38.14 | 11,141 | $156,829 | $828,471 |
| 20 | Elmhurst | 38.43 | 45,671 | $149,644 | $613,207 |
| 21 | Campton Hills | 38.93 | 10,877 | $209,134 | $666,624 |
| 22 | Manhattan | 39.79 | 11,026 | $128,522 | $385,490 |
| 23 | Elburn | 40.29 | 6,354 | $127,731 | $448,721 |
| 24 | Clarendon Hills | 40.79 | 8,659 | $130,388 | $666,351 |
| 25 | Oswego | 41.57 | 36,375 | $123,792 | $416,738 |
| 26 | Mokena | 41.57 | 20,021 | $123,889 | $443,959 |
| 27 | Barrington Hills | 42.71 | 3,879 | $205,074 | $1,020,851 |
| 28 | Winfield | 42.79 | 10,095 | $135,795 | $456,207 |
| 29 | Arlington Heights | 43.00 | 76,005 | $116,723 | $470,945 |
| 30 | Lemont | 43.29 | 17,820 | $123,370 | $565,404 |
| 31 | Downers Grove | 44.29 | 50,054 | $115,114 | $494,151 |
| 32 | Bartlett | 44.86 | 40,501 | $133,240 | $430,326 |
| 33 | Oak Park | 45.93 | 53,292 | $110,820 | $458,455 |
| 34 | Palos Heights | 48.07 | 12,152 | $108,740 | $389,153 |
| 35 | Glen Ellyn | 48.21 | 28,390 | $140,938 | $562,204 |
| 36 | Brookfield | 49.29 | 19,331 | $110,295 | $345,445 |
| 37 | Plainfield | 50.43 | 46,708 | $144,000 | $421,481 |
| 38 | Pingree Grove | 51.36 | 10,914 | $114,294 | $369,702 |
| 39 | Gilberts | 52.21 | 8,606 | $146,333 | $409,641 |
| 40 | Algonquin | 52.57 | 30,067 | $134,525 | $406,940 |
| 41 | Darien | 53.71 | 21,879 | $111,215 | $449,623 |
| 42 | West Dundee | 54.21 | 7,906 | $105,368 | $411,113 |
| 43 | Itasca | 54.29 | 9,355 | $114,294 | $443,025 |
| 44 | Oak Brook | 55.21 | 8,056 | $175,870 | $966,776 |
| 45 | Homer Glen | 55.36 | 24,529 | $136,678 | $505,179 |
| 46 | Lisle | 55.64 | 23,407 | $107,479 | $425,025 |
| 47 | St. Charles | 56.57 | 32,854 | $114,300 | $463,142 |
| 48 | Sugar Grove | 57.43 | 9,240 | $121,207 | $445,737 |
| 49 | Minooka | 57.57 | 12,891 | $115,445 | $364,409 |
| 50 | Orland Hills | 57.93 | 6,719 | $122,039 | $327,784 |
| 51 | Shorewood | 58.86 | 18,343 | $122,105 | $403,278 |
| 52 | Sleepy Hollow | 59.14 | 3,161 | $149,813 | $460,164 |
| 53 | Lombard | 59.29 | 43,619 | $100,362 | $380,912 |
| 54 | Yorkville | 59.43 | 23,617 | $108,513 | $399,862 |
| 55 | Lockport | 60.93 | 26,409 | $111,981 | $360,599 |
| 56 | Schaumburg | 62.00 | 76,868 | $97,514 | $349,953 |
| 57 | Westchester | 62.00 | 16,436 | $98,954 | $357,237 |
| 58 | Bloomingdale | 62.21 | 22,457 | $102,928 | $428,844 |
| 59 | South Elgin | 63.93 | 24,217 | $127,203 | $366,632 |
| 60 | Mount Prospect | 64.36 | 55,472 | $101,720 | $433,814 |
| 61 | Harwood Heights | 64.79 | 8,821 | $81,086 | $377,397 |
| 62 | Roselle | 65.07 | 22,752 | $111,318 | $374,678 |
| 63 | Lake in the Hills | 65.29 | 28,800 | $117,151 | $369,917 |
| 64 | Westmont | 65.71 | 23,724 | $88,090 | $400,412 |
| 65 | Huntley | 65.86 | 28,005 | $88,536 | $417,547 |
| 66 | Carol Stream | 67.64 | 39,460 | $102,309 | $377,328 |
| 67 | Tinley Park | 68.29 | 54,842 | $105,189 | $324,474 |
| 68 | Palos Park | 68.43 | 4,816 | $121,696 | $530,826 |
| 69 | Channahon | 69.07 | 13,927 | $119,494 | $374,127 |
| 70 | Willow Springs | 69.79 | 5,868 | $103,583 | $386,669 |
| 71 | Villa Park | 69.86 | 22,345 | $95,015 | $354,427 |
| 72 | Woodridge | 70.07 | 33,941 | $101,000 | $404,092 |
| 73 | Orland Park | 71.00 | 57,916 | $98,910 | $397,472 |
| 74 | Montgomery | 71.14 | 21,515 | $103,734 | $325,542 |
| 75 | Sycamore | 71.29 | 18,559 | $84,120 | $313,784 |
| 76 | Willowbrook | 71.43 | 9,131 | $99,239 | $322,190 |
| 77 | North Riverside | 71.71 | 7,249 | $77,170 | $340,577 |
| 78 | Hampshire | 73.21 | 8,524 | $94,773 | $407,967 |
| 79 | Palatine | 73.36 | 66,293 | $97,819 | $375,855 |
| 80 | Indian Head Park | 74.71 | 3,974 | $100,149 | $355,707 |
| 81 | North Aurora | 75.07 | 18,696 | $114,305 | $395,208 |
| 82 | Elwood | 76.36 | 2,001 | $86,458 | $315,019 |
| 83 | Hometown | 76.64 | 4,215 | $61,101 | $205,832 |
| 84 | Oakbrook Terrace | 77.93 | 2,723 | $76,905 | $417,654 |
| 85 | Des Plaines | 78.07 | 59,156 | $97,875 | $339,855 |
| 86 | Hoffman Estates | 78.86 | 51,175 | $106,806 | $394,618 |
| 87 | Schiller Park | 79.71 | 11,393 | $69,696 | $305,084 |
| 88 | Oak Forest | 80.86 | 26,805 | $91,990 | $287,163 |
| 89 | Streamwood | 82.29 | 39,001 | $101,218 | $321,982 |
| 90 | Wood Dale | 82.29 | 13,933 | $91,382 | $347,554 |
| 91 | Morris | 83.79 | 14,898 | $76,711 | $307,718 |
| 92 | Norridge | 84.29 | 15,439 | $87,807 | $405,485 |
| 93 | Warrenville | 85.29 | 14,718 | $100,321 | $352,076 |
| 94 | Elmwood Park | 85.43 | 23,868 | $91,955 | $338,383 |
| 95 | East Dundee | 85.57 | 3,146 | $89,583 | $309,811 |
| 96 | Rolling Meadows | 86.14 | 24,027 | $98,514 | $322,644 |
| 97 | Sandwich | 86.21 | 7,219 | $80,768 | $319,505 |
| 98 | Oak Lawn | 87.21 | 56,861 | $83,911 | $282,758 |
| 99 | Bolingbrook | 87.29 | 74,096 | $108,400 | $363,758 |
| 100 | Forest Park | 88.29 | 13,943 | $77,221 | $272,765 |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024. 142 suburbs within 30 miles of Aurora.
Summary
Summary: Welcome to the Best Aurora ‘Burbs of 2026
We said it once, and we’ll say it again–life in the big city isn’t for everyone. At least not all the time.
The best suburbs of Aurora are Western Springs, Riverside, Hinsdale, La Grange, Deer Park, Wayne, South Barrington, New Lenox, Geneva, and Park Ridge.
So if you’re craving the amenities of a larger city like Aurora but don’t want to deal with the drawbacks, one of these suburbs might be for you. Not sold on Illinois? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Best Suburbs Of Aurora FAQs
What is the best suburb of Aurora?
Western Springs is the best suburb of Aurora for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. Riverside and Hinsdale are next.
What are the best suburbs of Aurora?
The best suburbs of Aurora are Western Springs, Riverside, Hinsdale, La Grange, Deer Park, Wayne, South Barrington, New Lenox, Geneva, and Park Ridge. We ranked all 142 places within commuting range.
How expensive is Western Springs?
The median household income in Western Springs is $230,255 and the median home costs $863,783. Top suburbs rarely come cheap; that is part of how they got there.
What counts as a suburb of Aurora?
Any place within 30 miles of Aurora qualifies. 142 towns fit that circle, and every one of them got scored.
How do you rank Aurora suburbs?
Each suburb is scored on income, home values, density, unemployment, education, insurance coverage, and poverty, using Census American Community Survey data. The best combined score, Western Springs, takes the crown.
