The 10 Best Naperville Suburbs To Live In For 2022


We analyzed over 162 places around Naperville to identify the most in demand places to live.

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Editor’s Note: Data has been updated for 2022. This is our ninth time ranking the best Naperville suburbs.

Big city living isn't for everyone--but at the same time, urban areas certainly have their perks.

There's the culture, the food, the arts, the food, the energy, and you know, the food. But there are drawbacks. There's traffic, expensive parking, expensive housing--pretty much, expensive everything, depending on which big city you're looking at.

But that's where the suburbs come in--they have all of the benefits of being near big cities, without actually having to be big cities.

Of course, not all suburbs of Naperville are created equally, which is precisely why we set out to find the best ones. So without further ado...

Here are the 10 best suburbs to live around Naperville for 2022:

  1. Western Springs
  2. Winfield
  3. River Forest
  4. La Grange
  5. Hinsdale
  6. La Grange Park
  7. Deer Park
  8. Park Ridge
  9. Inverness
  10. Riverside

What's the best suburb of Naperville? Western Springs ranks as the best suburb of Naperville for 2022 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 Naperville 'burbs better than the rest--but first, a bit about our methodology.

Note: 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 larger selection of suburbs.

Feel free to check out some more reading about Illinois:

The 10 Best Naperville Suburbs To Live For 2022

Western Springs is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Naperville area. We'll tell you the good about "Awesome Western Springs."

Everyone here is rich; families average $184,412 a year, which is the 3rd highest in the Naperville region. And only 2.57% are out of work. Homes average more than $609,600 each.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 13,247
Rank Last Year: 2 (Up 1)
Median Income: $184,412
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
Poverty Rate: 3.0%
More on Western Springs: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Western Springs, IL

Winfield is the second best 'burb we looked at near Naperville for 2022.

It ranks 13th for incomes in the area and only 1.38% of residents lack insurance, good for 4th best.

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 9,683
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 5)
Median Income: $125,481
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
Poverty Rate: 1.4%
More on Winfield: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Winfield, IL

Here in River Forest, it's really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you'll see in the Naperville 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 River Forest.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 10,883
Rank Last Year: 1 (Down 2)
Median Income: $125,288
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
Poverty Rate: 2.2%
More on River Forest: Real Estate | Data | Photos

River Forest, IL

La Grange ranks as the 4th best suburb of Naperville for 2022.

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.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 15,555
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 1)
Median Income: $122,629
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Poverty Rate: 3.6%
More on La Grange: Real Estate | Data | Photos

La Grange, IL

Coming in as the fifth best is Hinsdale.

Hinsdale gets kudos for having the most expensive homes in the Naperville area, where houses sell for an average of $882,700. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 17,366
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 1)
Median Income: $206,701
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Poverty Rate: 1.9%
More on Hinsdale: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Hinsdale, IL

La Grange Park 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 3.43% which is 40th best in the area.

According to online reports, La Grange Park is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Naperville area, meaning you need to get in soon.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 13,129
Rank Last Year: 15 (Up 9)
Median Income: $107,945
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
Poverty Rate: 5.1%
More on La Grange Park: Real Estate | Data | Photos

La Grange Park, IL

The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Deer Park.

Deer Park 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 29.1 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,005
Rank Last Year: 17 (Up 10)
Median Income: $161,422
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
Poverty Rate: 1.3%
More on Deer Park: Real Estate | Data

Park Ridge 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 3.01% of people lack insurance, good for 35th in the area.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 37,431
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 3)
Median Income: $113,809
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
Poverty Rate: 3.9%
More on Park Ridge: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Park Ridge, IL

Is 'Everything Better In Inverness?'

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.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 7,959
Rank Last Year: 6 (Down 3)
Median Income: $185,558
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
Poverty Rate: 2.6%
More on Inverness: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Inverness, IL

And rounding out the top ten for 2022 is Riverside.

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.

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 8,748
Rank Last Year: 29 (Up 19)
Median Income: $120,336
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
Poverty Rate: 2.7%
More on Riverside: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Riverside, IL

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Suburbs Around Naperville for 2022

Figuring out the best suburbs around Naperville was pretty simple; we just needed to list several things that people like, and then find out which cities have the most of those things.

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible:

  • 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

Then we used the newest American Community Survey data for 2016-2020 to research each suburb.

FYI: We defined a suburb as being within 30 miles of Naperville.

Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 161 suburbs to evaluate around Naperville.

We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 161 in each category, where 1 was the "best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each place to create a quality of life index.

And finally, we crowned the city with the best quality of life index the "Best Suburb near Naperville." We're lookin' at you, Western Springs. You can download the data here.

Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best of the best. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.

Summary: Welcome to the Best Naperville 'Burbs of 2022

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.

So if you're hankering for some of the amenities of a larger city like Naperville, but don't want to deal with the drawbacks, one of these suburbs might just be for you.

For more Illinois reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Naperville Suburbs

Rank City Population Median Income
1 Western Springs, IL 13,247 $184,412
2 Winfield, IL 9,683 $125,481
3 River Forest, IL 10,883 $125,288
4 La Grange, IL 15,555 $122,629
5 Hinsdale, IL 17,366 $206,701
6 La Grange Park, IL 13,129 $107,945
7 Deer Park, IL 4,005 $161,422
8 Park Ridge, IL 37,431 $113,809
9 Inverness, IL 7,959 $185,558
10 Riverside, IL 8,748 $120,336
11 Elmhurst, IL 46,571 $123,869
12 South Barrington, IL 4,963 $183,750
13 Burr Ridge, IL 10,761 $151,900
14 Geneva, IL 21,843 $116,083
15 Mokena, IL 20,720 $109,935
16 Clarendon Hills, IL 8,834 $103,486
17 New Lenox, IL 26,788 $115,327
18 Glen Ellyn, IL 27,741 $118,208
19 Frankfort, IL 19,166 $140,731
20 Wayne, IL 2,477 $132,695
21 Barrington Hills, IL 4,156 $157,414
22 Arlington Heights, IL 75,071 $100,221
23 Plainfield, IL 44,857 $131,241
24 Elburn, IL 5,559 $95,717
25 Wheaton, IL 53,157 $105,764
26 Barrington, IL 10,442 $112,794
27 Glenview, IL 47,218 $118,019
28 Lemont, IL 17,131 $114,509
29 Palos Park, IL 4,779 $114,020
30 Sleepy Hollow, IL 3,276 $122,121
31 Itasca, IL 9,496 $99,706
32 Oak Park, IL 52,102 $96,945
33 Campton Hills, IL 10,962 $173,503
34 Downers Grove, IL 49,263 $97,197
35 Sugar Grove, IL 9,756 $110,607
36 West Dundee, IL 7,923 $95,707
37 Palos Heights, IL 12,460 $90,995
38 Bartlett, IL 40,894 $109,980
39 Brookfield, IL 18,520 $84,891
40 Batavia, IL 26,479 $97,995
41 Pingree Grove, IL 8,768 $89,683
42 Oak Brook, IL 8,085 $140,743
43 Gilberts, IL 7,941 $96,420
44 Indian Head Park, IL 3,744 $88,496
45 Lisle, IL 23,363 $96,945
46 Willow Springs, IL 5,610 $98,664
47 Willowbrook, IL 8,610 $86,364
48 St. Charles, IL 32,612 $102,414
49 Darien, IL 21,843 $100,771
50 Oswego, IL 35,470 $97,330
51 Morton Grove, IL 22,937 $87,063
52 Lombard, IL 43,755 $86,167
53 Homer Glen, IL 24,521 $108,783
54 Woodridge, IL 33,443 $88,803
55 Minooka, IL 11,069 $97,097
56 Westchester, IL 16,255 $88,861
57 Shorewood, IL 17,303 $106,341
58 Algonquin, IL 30,848 $109,819
59 Schaumburg, IL 73,392 $82,387
60 Mount Prospect, IL 54,165 $84,353
61 Manhattan, IL 8,218 $105,726
62 Evergreen Park, IL 19,290 $79,396
63 Lincolnwood, IL 12,338 $90,422
64 Orland Hills, IL 7,069 $82,337
65 Hoffman Estates, IL 50,464 $92,423
66 Orland Park, IL 58,380 $84,676
67 Bloomingdale, IL 21,905 $87,397
68 Norridge, IL 14,465 $78,300
69 Lockport, IL 25,499 $87,817
70 Roselle, IL 22,744 $92,470
71 Yorkville, IL 19,386 $101,245
72 Channahon, IL 13,281 $99,429
73 Villa Park, IL 22,087 $79,314
74 Westmont, IL 24,677 $69,902
75 Montgomery, IL 19,515 $99,208
76 Oak Forest, IL 27,403 $78,865
77 Tinley Park, IL 56,082 $82,163
78 South Elgin, IL 23,648 $99,189
79 Olympia Fields, IL 5,028 $93,350
80 Flossmoor, IL 9,318 $107,271
81 Skokie, IL 63,300 $74,725
82 Homewood, IL 18,656 $77,013
83 Forest Park, IL 13,808 $70,670
84 Elmwood Park, IL 24,274 $63,312
85 Palatine, IL 67,875 $83,495
86 Carol Stream, IL 39,447 $89,820
87 Streamwood, IL 39,917 $88,917
88 North Aurora, IL 18,089 $90,315
89 Sandwich, IL 7,351 $70,563
90 Somonauk, IL 2,027 $71,375
91 Berkeley, IL 5,079 $71,025
92 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 2,909 $61,563
93 Des Plaines, IL 58,316 $73,639
94 Midlothian, IL 14,464 $61,067
95 Harwood Heights, IL 8,393 $67,745
96 North Riverside, IL 6,460 $55,879
97 Rolling Meadows, IL 23,288 $78,609
98 Wood Dale, IL 13,783 $75,521
99 Elwood, IL 2,524 $81,250
100 Bolingbrook, IL 74,319 $92,184

How Is Your Town In ?

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.