The 10 Best Chicago Suburbs To Live In For 2024


The best Chicago suburbs are Western Springs and Kenilworth for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

If you need one more reason to move to one of Chicago’s best suburbs, HomeSnacks is here to give you ten. We’ve created a list of the top ten best suburbs in Chi-town for 2024 and listed them below.

Whether you’re a die hard Chicago Bears fan, a deep dish ‘za fan, or just a fan of a great people, Chicago’s suburbs have all this and then some. And because we know that when searching for your forever home, the amount of information can be overwhelming; take the guessing out of the equation and use our guide to help you navigate Chicago’s suburban waters.

How did we calculate our list? To get the most scientific list, we looked at the latest FBI data for and Census for Chicago’s 167 suburbs. We looked at things like crime reports, median income levels, unemployment rates, and poverty rates for each place. We then ran each suburb through our SnackAbility formula for things like affordability, education levels, safety, and amenities. And, folks, the top ten best suburbs in Chicago are very snack worthy: 8 of the top ten scored a perfect 10/10!

If you’re looking for a safe, family friendly Chicago burb, River Forest’s real estate agents are ready to take your calls, if you’re a new professional just starting out, Clarendon Hills is on Chicago’s “L” and the unemployment rate is relatively low and if you are looking for a suburb with lots to do, Inverness has twenty parks and first class shopping.

More importantly, if you don’t want to be left out in The Windy City’s cold, take a look at our list below so that you are in the know.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


Chicago is America’s 3rd biggest city, so to put up the numbers that this city’s best suburbs have done in terms of our SnackAbility criteria, deserves a good ‘ol fashioned shout out! Not to mention, Chicago’s number one best suburb should be the poster suburb for the rest of the country.

So, what is Chicago’s best suburb for 2024? Well, according to the latest data, that award goes to Western Springs.

And if Chicago is your kind of town like it’s our kind of town, do yourself a favor and hit that down arrow key to see where the rest of Chicago’s suburbs landed on our list.

Feel free to check out some more reading about Illinois:

The 10 Best Chicago Suburbs To Live For 2024

Western Springs, IL

Source: Wikipedia User MrHarman | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 13,557
Median Income: $198,836
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
Poverty Rate: 2.6%
More on Western Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Western Springs is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Chicago area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome Western Springs.”

Everyone here is rich; families average $198,836 a year, which is the 10th highest in the Chicago region. And only 2.54% are out of work. Homes average more than $700,654 each.

Review Of Western Springs by HomeSnacks User

Their is no crime in that town and the neighborhood is nice. Their are a lot of things to do in that town and have a nice ice cream shop called Oberweis Dairy. Their are also Metra trains their too.

Spring Rock Park is a nice park with baseball fields and a hockey rink. Oberweis Dairy has good ice cream.

2. Kenilworth, IL

Kenilworth, IL

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,537
Median Income: $250,001
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
Poverty Rate: 3.2%
More on Kenilworth: Crime | Real Estate

Kenilworth is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Chicago for 2024.

It ranks 2nd for incomes in the area and only 0.71% of residents lack insurance, good for 3rd best.

Wilmette, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Zol87 from Chicago, Illinois, USA | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 27,801
Median Income: $183,750
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Poverty Rate: 2.9%
More on Wilmette: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Here in Wilmette, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the Chicago 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 Wilmette.

Review Of Wilmette by HomeSnacks User

I love living in Wilmette. People are so friendly and the town is well run offering many activities. It is a same place to live.

I love being close to Lake Michigan Beach and the pool in Wilmette is fantastic.

Hinsdale, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Teemu08 at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 17,169
Median Income: $250,001
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
Poverty Rate: 1.4%
More on Hinsdale: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Hinsdale ranks as the 4th best suburb of Chicago for 2024.

You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in Hinsdale and the schools are some of the best around.

Riverside, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Nmaviano | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 9,225
Median Income: $149,464
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Poverty Rate: 3.2%
More on Riverside: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Coming in as the fifth best is Riverside.

Riverside gets kudos for having the 28th most expensive homes in the Chicago area, where houses sell for an average of $476,379. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.

Winnetka, IL

Source: Wikipedia User anarchosyn | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 12,607
Median Income: $250,001
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Poverty Rate: 1.9%
More on Winnetka: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Winnetka 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 3.66%.

According to online reports, Winnetka is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Chicago area, meaning you need to get in soon.

Deerfield, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Shsilver at English Wikipedia | CC BY 3.0 us
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 19,173
Median Income: $185,762
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
Poverty Rate: 2.7%
More on Deerfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Deerfield.

Deerfield 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 24.3 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.

La Grange, IL

Source: Wikipedia User MrHarman | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 16,128
Median Income: $141,235
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
Poverty Rate: 4.4%
More on La Grange: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

La Grange 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 3.03% of people lack insurance, good for 36th in the area.

Glencoe, IL

Source: Wikipedia User User:JeremyA | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 8,787
Median Income: $228,750
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Poverty Rate: 1.9%
More on Glencoe: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Is ‘Everything Better In Glencoe?’

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.

Review Of Glencoe by HomeSnacks User

I am from Glencoe and I do NOT appreciate being called the snobbiest town in Illinois, thank you very much. I would also say that nobody else who lives here likes it either. Yes, we are a wealthy town, but there is a fine fine line between s****y and wealthy.

Plus, since the houses get more expensive as they get closer to the lake and Glencoe is right on the lake, the houses will obviously be expensive!!!! That comment that you said about the art galleries and theatres, that’s just because we all like performing arts!!

La Grange Park, IL

Source: Flickr User davidwilson1949 | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 13,332
Median Income: $113,419
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Poverty Rate: 3.8%
More on La Grange Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

And rounding out the top ten for 2024 is La Grange Park.

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.

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Suburbs Around Chicago for 2024

Figuring out the best suburbs around Chicago 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 2018-2022 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 Chicago.

Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 167 suburbs to evaluate around Chicago.

We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 167 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 Chicago.” 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 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best Chicago suburbs. Skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.

Summary: Welcome to the Best Chicago ‘Burbs of 2024

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 Chicago are .

So if you’re craving the amenities of a larger city like Chicago but don’t want to deal with the drawbacks, one of these suburbs might be for you.

For more Illinois reading, check out:

Table: Best Chicago Suburbs

Rank City Population Median Income Average Home Price
1 Western Springs, IL 13,557 $198,836 $700,654
2 Kenilworth, IL 2,537 $250,001 $1,644,898
3 Wilmette, IL 27,801 $183,750 $792,941
4 Hinsdale, IL 17,169 $250,001 $1,010,524
5 Riverside, IL 9,225 $149,464 $476,379
6 Winnetka, IL 12,607 $250,001 $1,450,397
7 Deerfield, IL 19,173 $185,762 $520,189
8 La Grange, IL 16,128 $141,235 $522,753
9 Glencoe, IL 8,787 $228,750 $1,230,212
10 La Grange Park, IL 13,332 $113,419 $412,033
11 Long Grove, IL 8,279 $236,172 $799,502
12 Northbrook, IL 34,950 $150,236 $573,899
13 South Barrington, IL 5,001 $226,042 $957,504
14 Lincolnshire, IL 7,907 $155,395 $626,704
15 Park Ridge, IL 39,368 $137,964 $491,808
16 Lake Forest, IL 19,436 $202,153 $997,291
17 River Forest, IL 11,568 $144,784 $625,449
18 Highland Park, IL 30,209 $159,567 $633,282
19 Winfield, IL 9,947 $136,696 $401,970
20 New Lenox, IL 27,242 $129,797 $397,624
21 Northfield, IL 5,707 $146,538 $689,829
22 Inverness, IL 7,722 $207,623 $700,604
23 Wheaton, IL 53,673 $113,523 $431,270
24 Naperville, IL 149,089 $143,754 $527,805
25 Riverwoods, IL 4,007 $233,036 $830,320
26 Elmhurst, IL 45,648 $143,492 $500,450
27 Burr Ridge, IL 11,131 $174,342 $724,731
28 Mokena, IL 19,886 $122,235 $406,985
29 Buffalo Grove, IL 42,934 $127,553 $378,470
30 Frankfort, IL 20,260 $157,615 $439,784
31 Clarendon Hills, IL 8,658 $115,923 $561,818
32 Lemont, IL 17,558 $128,694 $491,388
33 Glenview, IL 47,896 $134,910 $556,329
34 Palos Heights, IL 11,965 $105,366 $354,730
35 Oak Park, IL 53,834 $103,264 $391,539
36 Arlington Heights, IL 76,794 $113,502 $403,495
37 St. John, IL 20,727 $123,799 $429,337
38 Glen Ellyn, IL 28,304 $128,132 $483,880
39 Brookfield, IL 19,349 $98,867 $307,049
40 Downers Grove, IL 49,996 $115,461 $424,001
41 Darien, IL 21,953 $110,546 $391,312
42 Westchester, IL 16,694 $101,414 $316,020
43 Itasca, IL 9,627 $113,162 $380,589
44 Munster, IL 23,731 $101,851 $329,921
45 Mount Prospect, IL 56,191 $100,526 $372,693
46 Oak Brook, IL 8,065 $158,663 $823,438
47 Willowbrook, IL 9,177 $95,649 $294,149
48 Willowbrook, IL 9,177 $95,649 $294,149
49 Willowbrook, IL 9,177 $95,649 $294,149
50 Willowbrook, IL 9,177 $95,649 $294,149
51 Lisle, IL 23,499 $106,265 $368,104
52 Homer Glen, IL 24,507 $130,235 $460,898
53 Lombard, IL 44,055 $95,509 $328,254
54 Morton Grove, IL 24,910 $102,940 $375,363
55 Flossmoor, IL 9,405 $140,703 $318,241
56 Evergreen Park, IL 19,730 $92,266 $255,976
57 Dyer, IL 16,407 $98,631 $338,390
58 Willow Springs, IL 5,862 $100,775 $336,794
59 Orland Hills, IL 6,842 $92,830 $292,934
60 Bloomingdale, IL 22,435 $96,779 $375,771
61 Westmont, IL 24,271 $82,519 $347,110
62 Orland Park, IL 58,345 $97,365 $367,054
63 Lockport, IL 26,119 $106,923 $315,083
64 Woodridge, IL 34,027 $95,756 $356,860
65 Evanston, IL 77,181 $93,188 $410,543
66 Lincolnwood, IL 13,268 $99,390 $473,704
67 Roselle, IL 22,846 $104,167 $331,035
68 Oak Forest, IL 27,199 $89,758 $263,395
69 Palos Park, IL 4,836 $128,370 $472,000
70 Hoffman Estates, IL 51,744 $107,428 $343,446
71 Schaumburg, IL 77,571 $92,818 $304,016
72 Carol Stream, IL 39,656 $103,525 $330,804
73 Indian Head Park, IL 4,022 $100,455 $310,425
74 Tinley Park, IL 55,571 $99,628 $297,581
75 Villa Park, IL 22,753 $90,287 $302,069
76 Monee, IL 5,120 $86,849 $307,912
77 Norridge, IL 15,291 $84,539 $354,846
78 Skokie, IL 67,076 $91,892 $358,422
79 Harwood Heights, IL 8,942 $77,617 $336,787
80 Warrenville, IL 13,945 $95,919 $307,146
81 Schererville, IL 29,573 $79,662 $326,976
82 Forest Park, IL 14,165 $78,625 $238,889
83 Streamwood, IL 39,556 $94,951 $280,844
84 North Riverside, IL 7,245 $63,625 $305,218
85 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 2,695 $68,125 $356,020
86 Palatine, IL 67,223 $93,383 $312,692
87 Lynwood, IL 9,087 $80,789 $254,441
88 Elmwood Park, IL 24,281 $75,784 $304,247
89 Wood Dale, IL 13,903 $86,441 $304,707
90 Berkeley, IL 5,283 $79,691 $260,880
91 Niles, IL 30,637 $75,783 $348,195
92 River Grove, IL 10,532 $72,466 $268,385
93 Homewood, IL 19,868 $86,437 $230,828
94 Des Plaines, IL 60,087 $86,552 $293,438
95 Bolingbrook, IL 73,755 $102,057 $317,734
96 Rolling Meadows, IL 24,054 $91,287 $288,538
97 Highwood, IL 5,227 $105,282 $389,661
98 Hickory Hills, IL 14,915 $81,385 $290,409
99 Glendale Heights, IL 33,088 $83,588 $273,482
100 Addison, IL 35,685 $82,547 $325,203
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.