Joliet 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 Joliet 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 Joliet: incomes, home prices, unemployment, schools, the works. The result is a no-nonsense ranking of where you actually want to live.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 best suburbs to live around Joliet for 2026:
What’s the best suburb of Joliet? Western Springs ranks as the best suburb of Joliet for 2026 based on the most recent Census and FBI data. If you happen to be a resident of Western Springs, you’re probably not too surprised to find it on the top our list.
We’ll tell you what makes each of these 10 Joliet ‘burbs better than the rest–but first, a bit about our methodology.
Feel free to check out some more reading about Illinois:
The 10 Best Joliet Suburbs To Live For 2026
/10
Population: 13,446
Median Income: $230,255
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Poverty Rate: 1.3%
More on Western Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Western Springs is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Joliet 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 Joliet region. And only 3.09% are out of work. Homes average more than $863,782 each.
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.
/10
Population: 9,039
Median Income: $153,686
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
Poverty Rate: 3.3%
More on Riverside: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Riverside is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Joliet for 2026.
It ranks 9th for incomes in the area and only 0.8% of residents lack insurance, good for 3rd best.
/10
Population: 17,175
Median Income: $250,001
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
Poverty Rate: 2.9%
More on Hinsdale: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Here in Hinsdale, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the Joliet 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.
/10
Population: 15,998
Median Income: $159,929
Unemployment Rate: 2.2%
Poverty Rate: 4.6%
More on La Grange: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
La Grange ranks as the 4th best suburb of Joliet 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.
5. Wayne, IL
/10
Population: 2,562
Median Income: $161,719
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
Poverty Rate: 2.1%
More on Wayne: Crime | Movers
Coming in as the fifth best is Wayne.
Wayne gets kudos for having the 5th most expensive homes in the Joliet area, where houses sell for an average of $755,393. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.
/10
Population: 28,006
Median Income: $140,865
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Poverty Rate: 1.5%
More on New Lenox: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
New Lenox 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 2.94%.
According to online reports, New Lenox is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Joliet area, meaning you need to get in soon.
/10
Population: 21,258
Median Income: $144,341
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
Poverty Rate: 3.8%
More on Geneva: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Geneva.
Geneva 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 26.7 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.
/10
Population: 13,447
Median Income: $120,408
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
Poverty Rate: 4.9%
More on La Grange Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
La Grange Park 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 2.3% of people lack insurance, good for 22nd in the area.
/10
Population: 53,557
Median Income: $120,008
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Poverty Rate: 5.6%
More on Wheaton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Is ‘Everything Better In Wheaton?’
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.
/10
Population: 150,692
Median Income: $155,105
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Poverty Rate: 4.4%
More on Naperville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
And rounding out the top ten for 2026 is Naperville.
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 Joliet for 2026
Figuring out the best suburbs around Joliet 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 Joliet.
Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 130 suburbs to evaluate around Joliet.
We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 130 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 Joliet.” 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 Joliet suburbs. Skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.
Summary: Welcome to the Best Joliet ‘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 Joliet are .
So if you’re craving the amenities of a larger city like Joliet 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 Joliet Suburbs
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Springs, IL | 13,446 | $230,255 | $863,782 |
| 2 | Riverside, IL | 9,039 | $153,686 | $547,998 |
| 3 | Hinsdale, IL | 17,175 | $250,001 | $1,244,308 |
| 4 | La Grange, IL | 15,998 | $159,929 | $639,654 |
| 5 | Wayne, IL | 2,562 | $161,719 | $755,393 |
| 6 | New Lenox, IL | 28,006 | $140,865 | $440,655 |
| 7 | Geneva, IL | 21,258 | $144,341 | $532,206 |
| 8 | La Grange Park, IL | 13,447 | $120,408 | $480,916 |
| 9 | Wheaton, IL | 53,557 | $120,008 | $501,273 |
| 10 | Naperville, IL | 150,692 | $155,105 | $610,453 |
| 11 | Frankfort, IL | 20,651 | $154,375 | $487,132 |
| 12 | Elmhurst, IL | 45,671 | $149,644 | $613,207 |
| 13 | Batavia, IL | 27,151 | $120,056 | $453,319 |
| 14 | Burr Ridge, IL | 11,141 | $156,829 | $828,471 |
| 15 | Clarendon Hills, IL | 8,659 | $130,388 | $666,350 |
| 16 | Mokena, IL | 20,021 | $123,889 | $443,959 |
| 17 | Manhattan, IL | 11,026 | $128,522 | $385,490 |
| 18 | Winfield, IL | 10,095 | $135,795 | $456,206 |
| 19 | Elburn, IL | 6,354 | $127,731 | $448,721 |
| 20 | Lemont, IL | 17,820 | $123,370 | $565,404 |
| 21 | Oswego, IL | 36,375 | $123,792 | $416,737 |
| 22 | Downers Grove, IL | 50,054 | $115,114 | $494,150 |
| 23 | Glen Ellyn, IL | 28,390 | $140,938 | $562,204 |
| 24 | Palos Heights, IL | 12,152 | $108,740 | $389,152 |
| 25 | Brookfield, IL | 19,331 | $110,295 | $345,444 |
| 26 | Plainfield, IL | 46,708 | $144,000 | $421,480 |
| 27 | Darien, IL | 21,879 | $111,215 | $449,622 |
| 28 | Orland Hills, IL | 6,719 | $122,039 | $327,783 |
| 29 | Lisle, IL | 23,407 | $107,479 | $425,025 |
| 30 | Lombard, IL | 43,619 | $100,362 | $380,912 |
| 31 | Manteno, IL | 9,030 | $97,634 | $307,922 |
| 32 | Minooka, IL | 12,891 | $115,445 | $364,409 |
| 33 | Oak Brook, IL | 8,056 | $175,870 | $966,776 |
| 34 | Homer Glen, IL | 24,529 | $136,678 | $505,178 |
| 35 | St. Charles, IL | 32,854 | $114,300 | $463,142 |
| 36 | Sugar Grove, IL | 9,240 | $121,207 | $445,736 |
| 37 | Beecher, IL | 4,728 | $103,415 | $310,036 |
| 38 | Shorewood, IL | 18,343 | $122,105 | $403,277 |
| 39 | Lockport, IL | 26,409 | $111,981 | $360,598 |
| 40 | Yorkville, IL | 23,617 | $108,513 | $399,862 |
| 41 | Westchester, IL | 16,436 | $98,954 | $357,237 |
| 42 | Peotone, IL | 4,587 | $108,523 | $327,156 |
| 43 | Flossmoor, IL | 9,391 | $133,663 | $327,345 |
| 44 | Bloomingdale, IL | 22,457 | $102,928 | $428,844 |
| 45 | Westmont, IL | 23,724 | $88,090 | $400,411 |
| 46 | Tinley Park, IL | 54,842 | $105,189 | $324,474 |
| 47 | Carol Stream, IL | 39,460 | $102,309 | $377,327 |
| 48 | Palos Park, IL | 4,816 | $121,696 | $530,825 |
| 49 | Channahon, IL | 13,927 | $119,494 | $374,127 |
| 50 | Willowbrook, IL | 9,131 | $99,239 | $322,189 |
| 51 | Villa Park, IL | 22,345 | $95,015 | $354,426 |
| 52 | North Riverside, IL | 7,249 | $77,170 | $340,576 |
| 53 | Orland Park, IL | 57,916 | $98,910 | $397,472 |
| 54 | Woodridge, IL | 33,941 | $101,000 | $404,091 |
| 55 | Willow Springs, IL | 5,868 | $103,583 | $386,669 |
| 56 | Evergreen Park, IL | 19,420 | $95,719 | $281,355 |
| 57 | Diamond, IL | 2,984 | $73,201 | $301,383 |
| 58 | Montgomery, IL | 21,515 | $103,734 | $325,541 |
| 59 | Indian Head Park, IL | 3,974 | $100,149 | $355,706 |
| 60 | Olympia Fields, IL | 4,734 | $123,875 | $328,551 |
| 61 | North Aurora, IL | 18,696 | $114,305 | $395,207 |
| 62 | Elwood, IL | 2,001 | $86,458 | $315,019 |
| 63 | Monee, IL | 5,108 | $91,969 | $337,963 |
| 64 | Crete, IL | 8,386 | $97,147 | $287,366 |
| 65 | Oakbrook Terrace, IL | 2,723 | $76,905 | $417,654 |
| 66 | Braidwood, IL | 6,062 | $82,202 | $273,094 |
| 67 | Hometown, IL | 4,215 | $61,101 | $205,831 |
| 68 | Oak Forest, IL | 26,805 | $91,990 | $287,163 |
| 69 | Homewood, IL | 19,294 | $100,139 | $243,247 |
| 70 | Oak Lawn, IL | 56,861 | $83,911 | $282,758 |
| 71 | Morris, IL | 14,898 | $76,711 | $307,718 |
| 72 | Warrenville, IL | 14,718 | $100,321 | $352,076 |
| 73 | Bolingbrook, IL | 74,096 | $108,400 | $363,758 |
| 74 | Forest Park, IL | 13,943 | $77,221 | $272,765 |
| 75 | Sandwich, IL | 7,219 | $80,768 | $319,504 |
| 76 | Romeoville, IL | 41,152 | $106,325 | $313,582 |
| 77 | Palos Hills, IL | 18,081 | $83,533 | $280,021 |
| 78 | Berkeley, IL | 5,199 | $85,823 | $292,137 |
| 79 | Bourbonnais, IL | 18,078 | $81,708 | $293,559 |
| 80 | Addison, IL | 35,489 | $90,431 | $372,968 |
| 81 | Bradley, IL | 15,325 | $67,420 | $176,401 |
| 82 | Matteson, IL | 18,645 | $95,457 | $265,463 |
| 83 | Glendale Heights, IL | 32,808 | $86,545 | $319,771 |
| 84 | Aurora, IL | 179,898 | $93,633 | $316,957 |
| 85 | Midlothian, IL | 13,948 | $70,000 | $225,540 |
| 86 | Hillside, IL | 8,084 | $72,320 | $278,960 |
| 87 | Hickory Hills, IL | 14,526 | $77,262 | $325,811 |
| 88 | Berwyn, IL | 55,595 | $78,408 | $307,058 |
| 89 | Plano, IL | 12,203 | $86,271 | $304,556 |
| 90 | Stickney, IL | 6,952 | $66,942 | $286,404 |
| 91 | Countryside, IL | 6,267 | $80,968 | $374,268 |
| 92 | Bellwood, IL | 18,256 | $79,513 | $242,552 |
| 93 | Seneca, IL | 2,450 | $86,830 | $245,939 |
| 94 | Burbank, IL | 28,739 | $80,116 | $302,037 |
| 95 | Country Club Hills, IL | 16,324 | $75,197 | $199,943 |
| 96 | Northlake, IL | 12,513 | $83,892 | $295,900 |
| 97 | Richton Park, IL | 12,521 | $64,554 | $214,233 |
| 98 | Lyons, IL | 10,339 | $70,993 | $267,991 |
| 99 | Broadview, IL | 7,896 | $64,697 | $265,075 |
| 100 | Chicago Ridge, IL | 14,099 | $68,964 | $222,482 |
