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 2026 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 166 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.
$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 Chicago area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome Western Springs.”
Everyone here is rich; families average $230,255 a year, which is the 8th highest in the Chicago region. And only 3.1% are out of work. Homes average more than $863,783 each.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$250,001 median income · $2,032,330 median home price
Kenilworth is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Chicago for 2026.
It ranks 2nd for incomes in the area and only 1.1% of residents lack insurance, good for 9th best.
$153,686 median income · $547,998 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
Here in Riverside, 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 Riverside.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$190,662 median income · $961,183 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
Wilmette ranks as the 4th best suburb of Chicago for 2026.
You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in Wilmette and the schools are some of the best around.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$250,001 median income · $1,818,305 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
Coming in as the fifth best is Winnetka.
Winnetka gets kudos for having the 2nd most expensive homes in the Chicago area, where houses sell for an average of $1,818,305. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$250,001 median income · $1,244,308 median home price
Located in
DuPage County, Illinois
Hinsdale 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 3.2%.
According to online reports, Hinsdale is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Chicago area, meaning you need to get in soon.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$159,929 median income · $639,655 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
The 7th best suburb on our list goes to La Grange.
La Grange 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 10.1 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$181,660 median income · $635,444 median home price
Located in
Lake County, Illinois
Deerfield 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 1.0% of people lack insurance, good for 8th in the area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$248,933 median income · $1,577,965 median home price
Located in
Cook County, Illinois
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.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$250,001 median income · $924,481 median home price
Located in
Lake County, Illinois
And rounding out the top ten for 2026 is Long Grove.
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 Chicago suburbs are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How we determined the best suburbs around Chicago for 2026
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 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 Chicago.
Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 164 suburbs to evaluate around Chicago.
We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 164 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 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the best Chicago suburbs. Skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.
The full plate
Table: Best Chicago Suburbs
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Suburb Score | Population | Median Income | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Springs | 13.43 | 13,446 | $230,255 | $863,783 |
| 2 | Kenilworth | 20.36 | 2,503 | $250,001 | $2,032,330 |
| 3 | Riverside | 21.93 | 9,039 | $153,686 | $547,998 |
| 4 | Wilmette | 23.14 | 27,503 | $190,662 | $961,183 |
| 5 | Winnetka | 23.21 | 12,484 | $250,001 | $1,818,305 |
| 6 | Hinsdale | 24.00 | 17,175 | $250,001 | $1,244,308 |
| 7 | La Grange | 25.29 | 15,998 | $159,929 | $639,655 |
| 8 | Deerfield | 26.79 | 19,518 | $181,660 | $635,444 |
| 9 | Glencoe | 26.86 | 8,701 | $248,933 | $1,577,965 |
| 10 | Long Grove | 28.29 | 8,305 | $250,001 | $924,481 |
| 11 | Northfield | 30.00 | 5,487 | $161,500 | $841,446 |
| 12 | La Grange Park | 34.21 | 13,447 | $120,408 | $480,916 |
| 13 | South Barrington | 34.36 | 5,021 | $221,575 | $1,108,365 |
| 14 | Park Ridge | 34.43 | 38,667 | $142,986 | $564,905 |
| 15 | Lake Forest | 35.00 | 19,416 | $235,081 | $1,167,578 |
| 16 | Riverwoods | 37.00 | 4,013 | $249,205 | $949,531 |
| 17 | New Lenox | 37.07 | 28,006 | $140,865 | $440,656 |
| 18 | Wheaton | 37.29 | 53,557 | $120,008 | $501,273 |
| 19 | Highland Park | 37.29 | 30,398 | $168,094 | $751,001 |
| 20 | Lincolnshire | 37.86 | 7,980 | $185,580 | $714,055 |
| 21 | Northbrook | 38.14 | 34,585 | $157,782 | $688,265 |
| 22 | Inverness | 41.14 | 7,275 | $207,434 | $787,210 |
| 23 | River Forest | 41.79 | 11,992 | $146,786 | $716,652 |
| 24 | Naperville | 41.86 | 150,692 | $155,105 | $610,454 |
| 25 | Glenview | 41.86 | 47,752 | $143,056 | $663,147 |
| 26 | Elmhurst | 42.00 | 45,671 | $149,644 | $613,207 |
| 27 | Buffalo Grove | 42.14 | 42,891 | $129,395 | $436,990 |
| 28 | Clarendon Hills | 42.71 | 8,659 | $130,388 | $666,351 |
| 29 | Frankfort | 43.36 | 20,651 | $154,375 | $487,132 |
| 30 | Arlington Heights | 44.00 | 76,005 | $116,723 | $470,945 |
| 31 | Burr Ridge | 44.00 | 11,141 | $156,829 | $828,471 |
| 32 | Oak Park | 45.71 | 53,292 | $110,820 | $458,455 |
| 33 | Brookfield | 47.07 | 19,331 | $110,295 | $345,445 |
| 34 | Downers Grove | 47.29 | 50,054 | $115,114 | $494,151 |
| 35 | Mokena | 47.50 | 20,021 | $123,889 | $443,959 |
| 36 | St. John | 47.86 | 22,567 | $131,467 | $450,806 |
| 37 | Lemont | 49.14 | 17,820 | $123,370 | $565,404 |
| 38 | Winfield | 49.29 | 10,095 | $135,795 | $456,207 |
| 39 | Palos Heights | 50.00 | 12,152 | $108,740 | $389,153 |
| 40 | Glen Ellyn | 50.93 | 28,390 | $140,938 | $562,204 |
| 41 | Darien | 56.29 | 21,879 | $111,215 | $449,623 |
| 42 | Orland Hills | 57.86 | 6,719 | $122,039 | $327,784 |
| 43 | Lisle | 58.29 | 23,407 | $107,479 | $425,025 |
| 44 | Itasca | 59.07 | 9,355 | $114,294 | $443,025 |
| 45 | Lombard | 59.50 | 43,619 | $100,362 | $380,912 |
| 46 | Oak Brook | 61.29 | 8,056 | $175,870 | $966,776 |
| 47 | Westchester | 61.50 | 16,436 | $98,954 | $357,237 |
| 48 | Homer Glen | 61.71 | 24,529 | $136,678 | $505,179 |
| 49 | Schaumburg | 61.86 | 76,868 | $97,514 | $349,953 |
| 50 | Lincolnwood | 62.21 | 13,112 | $109,731 | $542,075 |
| 51 | Lockport | 62.93 | 26,409 | $111,981 | $360,599 |
| 52 | Dyer | 63.93 | 16,400 | $107,159 | $355,530 |
| 53 | Bloomingdale | 65.21 | 22,457 | $102,928 | $428,844 |
| 54 | Mount Prospect | 66.00 | 55,472 | $101,720 | $433,814 |
| 55 | Harwood Heights | 66.21 | 8,821 | $81,086 | $377,397 |
| 56 | Westmont | 66.57 | 23,724 | $88,090 | $400,412 |
| 57 | Roselle | 66.79 | 22,752 | $111,318 | $374,678 |
| 58 | Evanston | 67.29 | 76,340 | $96,434 | $470,774 |
| 59 | Morton Grove | 67.86 | 24,619 | $111,116 | $430,051 |
| 60 | Carol Stream | 68.43 | 39,460 | $102,309 | $377,328 |
| 61 | Flossmoor | 68.71 | 9,391 | $133,663 | $327,346 |
| 62 | Tinley Park | 69.43 | 54,842 | $105,189 | $324,474 |
| 63 | Villa Park | 70.21 | 22,345 | $95,015 | $354,427 |
| 64 | Skokie | 71.07 | 66,219 | $95,337 | $413,078 |
| 65 | Evergreen Park | 71.79 | 19,420 | $95,719 | $281,356 |
| 66 | Woodridge | 72.07 | 33,941 | $101,000 | $404,092 |
| 67 | Munster | 72.07 | 23,733 | $110,187 | $347,952 |
| 68 | Palos Park | 72.36 | 4,816 | $121,696 | $530,826 |
| 69 | Willow Springs | 73.14 | 5,868 | $103,583 | $386,669 |
| 70 | North Riverside | 73.21 | 7,249 | $77,170 | $340,577 |
| 71 | Willowbrook | 73.29 | 9,131 | $99,239 | $322,190 |
| 72 | Willowbrook | 73.29 | 9,131 | $99,239 | $322,190 |
| 73 | Palatine | 73.71 | 66,293 | $97,819 | $375,855 |
| 74 | Orland Park | 74.21 | 57,916 | $98,910 | $397,472 |
| 75 | Indian Head Park | 75.86 | 3,974 | $100,149 | $355,707 |
| 76 | Hometown | 76.86 | 4,215 | $61,101 | $205,832 |
| 77 | Des Plaines | 79.29 | 59,156 | $97,875 | $339,855 |
| 78 | Monee | 79.79 | 5,108 | $91,969 | $337,963 |
| 79 | Oak Forest | 80.71 | 26,805 | $91,990 | $287,163 |
| 80 | Olympia Fields | 80.71 | 4,734 | $123,875 | $328,552 |
| 81 | Schererville | 81.79 | 29,701 | $89,466 | $352,735 |
| 82 | Crete | 82.29 | 8,386 | $97,147 | $287,367 |
| 83 | Oakbrook Terrace | 82.93 | 2,723 | $76,905 | $417,654 |
| 84 | Hoffman Estates | 83.00 | 51,175 | $106,806 | $394,618 |
| 85 | Schiller Park | 83.71 | 11,393 | $69,696 | $305,084 |
| 86 | Streamwood | 84.57 | 39,001 | $101,218 | $321,982 |
| 87 | Oak Lawn | 85.71 | 56,861 | $83,911 | $282,758 |
| 88 | Elmwood Park | 85.93 | 23,868 | $91,955 | $338,383 |
| 89 | Norridge | 86.14 | 15,439 | $87,807 | $405,485 |
| 90 | Forest Park | 86.86 | 13,943 | $77,221 | $272,765 |
| 91 | Wood Dale | 87.43 | 13,933 | $91,382 | $347,554 |
| 92 | Homewood | 88.36 | 19,294 | $100,139 | $243,248 |
| 93 | Warrenville | 89.14 | 14,718 | $100,321 | $352,076 |
| 94 | Rolling Meadows | 89.21 | 24,027 | $98,514 | $322,644 |
| 95 | Griffith | 89.86 | 16,273 | $76,636 | $247,099 |
| 96 | Bolingbrook | 90.21 | 74,096 | $108,400 | $363,758 |
| 97 | Highwood | 91.57 | 5,301 | $107,875 | $467,497 |
| 98 | Niles | 93.07 | 30,064 | $75,274 | $399,810 |
| 99 | Palos Hills | 93.36 | 18,081 | $83,533 | $280,022 |
| 100 | Romeoville | 93.43 | 41,152 | $106,325 | $313,582 |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024. 164 suburbs within 30 miles of Chicago.
Summary
Summary: Welcome to the Best Chicago ‘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 Chicago are Western Springs, Kenilworth, Riverside, Wilmette, Winnetka, Hinsdale, La Grange, Deerfield, Glencoe, and Long Grove.
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. 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 Chicago FAQs
What is the best suburb of Chicago?
Western Springs is the best suburb of Chicago for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. Kenilworth and Riverside are next.
What are the best suburbs of Chicago?
The best suburbs of Chicago are Western Springs, Kenilworth, Riverside, Wilmette, Winnetka, Hinsdale, La Grange, Deerfield, Glencoe, and Long Grove. We ranked all 164 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 Chicago?
Any place within 30 miles of Chicago qualifies. 164 towns fit that circle, and every one of them got scored.
How do you rank Chicago 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.
