Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois

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Best suburbs to live in Illinois

Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its . Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.

In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are and new headquarters in less urban areas.

compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Illinois using data from Niche's . Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.

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#30. Glen Ellyn, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 216
- Population: 28,304
- Median household income: $128,132
- Median home value: $516,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,223 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Glenbard West High School (grade A+), Wheaton Warrenville South High School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)

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#29. River Forest, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 212
- Population: 11,568
- Median household income: $144,784
- Median home value: $668,900 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,347 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), Oak Park & River Forest High School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Fenwick High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Hinsdale Adventist Academy (grade A)

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#28. La Grange Park, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 202
- Population: 13,332
- Median household income: $113,419
- Median home value: $394,500 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,398 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Riverside Brookfield Township High School (grade A), Park Junior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Fenwick High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)

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#27. Bannockburn, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 193
- Population: 1,065
- Median household income: $161,875
- Median home value: $1,027,400 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,388 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Lake Forest High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)

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#26. Lake Bluff, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 192
- Population: 5,919
- Median household income: $190,179
- Median home value: $722,300 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,845 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Forest High School (grade A+), Lake Bluff Middle School (grade A), Lake Bluff Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+)

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#25. Riverside, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 191
- Population: 9,225
- Median household income: $149,464
- Median home value: $471,100 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,432 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Riverside Brookfield Township High School (grade A), A.F. Ames Elementary School (grade A), Central Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Fenwick High School (grade A+), St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A)

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#24. Burr Ridge, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 188
- Population: 11,131
- Median household income: $174,342
- Median home value: $706,400 (95% own)
- Median rent: $2,371 (5% rent)
- Top public schools: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Elm Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A), Benet Academy (grade A)

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#23. Oak Park, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 183
- Population: 53,834
- Median household income: $103,264
- Median home value: $440,500 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,409 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), Oak Park & River Forest High School (grade A+), DeVry University Advantage Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Saint Ignatius College Prep (grade A+), The Chicago Academy for the Arts (grade A+)

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#22. Leland Grove, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 181
- Population: 1,478
- Median household income: $127,500
- Median home value: $267,100 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,109 (6% rent)
- Top public schools: Springfield High School (grade A), Iles Elementary School (grade A minus), Lincoln Magnet School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Sacred Heart Griffin High School (grade A), Lutheran High School (grade B), Calvary Academy (grade B minus)

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#21. Libertyville, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 180
- Population: 20,555
- Median household income: $161,302
- Median home value: $488,800 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,453 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Rondout Elementary School (grade A+), Libertyville High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+)

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#20. Hawthorn Woods, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 173
- Population: 9,111
- Median household income: $215,817
- Median home value: $580,400 (98% own)
- Median rent: $3,501 (2% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A), Prairie Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Carmel Catholic High School (grade A), St. Viator High School (grade A)

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#19. Elmhurst, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 160
- Population: 45,648
- Median household income: $143,492
- Median home value: $516,900 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,843 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: York Community High School (grade A+), Hawthorne Elementary School (grade A), Field Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Northridge Preparatory School (grade A+), Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), Fenwick High School (grade A+)

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#18. Highland Park, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 149
- Population: 30,209
- Median household income: $159,567
- Median home value: $593,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,904 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)

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#17. Lisle, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 134
- Population: 23,499
- Median household income: $106,265
- Median home value: $401,000 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,485 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (grade A+), Naperville North High School (grade A+), Naperville Central High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)

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#16. Barrington, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 121
- Population: 11,244
- Median household income: $160,171
- Median home value: $543,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,726 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Barrington High School (grade A+), Grove Avenue Elementary School (grade A+), Hough Street Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Elgin Academy (grade A+), The Einstein Academy (grade A+), Schaumburg Christian School (grade A)

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#15. Glenview, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 120
- Population: 47,896
- Median household income: $134,910
- Median home value: $590,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,950 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)

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#14. Wilmette, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 116
- Population: 27,801
- Median household income: $183,750
- Median home value: $771,500 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,918 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Niles North High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)

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#13. Lincolnshire, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 102
- Population: 7,907
- Median household income: $155,395
- Median home value: $598,100 (80% own)
- Median rent: $2,799 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Bannockburn School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)

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#12. Western Springs, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 80
- Population: 13,557
- Median household income: $198,836
- Median home value: $680,900 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,871 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Oak Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)

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#11. Deerfield, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 78
- Population: 19,173
- Median household income: $185,762
- Median home value: $594,000 (81% own)
- Median rent: $2,225 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Highland Park High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)

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#10. Riverwoods, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 66
- Population: 4,007
- Median household income: $233,036
- Median home value: $776,900 (97% own)
- Median rent: $3,500 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)

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#9. Northbrook, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 53
- Population: 34,950
- Median household income: $150,236
- Median home value: $621,600 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,998 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)

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#8. Evanston, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 46
- Population: 77,181
- Median household income: $93,188
- Median home value: $454,600 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,625 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Evanston Township High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)

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#7. Kildeer, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 45
- Population: 4,133
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $683,900 (99% own)
- Median rent: $961 (1% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A), Prairie Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Carmel Catholic High School (grade A), Schaumburg Christian School (grade A), St. Viator High School (grade A)

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#6. Vernon Hills, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 38
- Population: 26,750
- Median household income: $117,253
- Median home value: $370,700 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,873 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Libertyville High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Christian Heritage Academy (grade A+)

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#5. Buffalo Grove, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 32
- Population: 42,934
- Median household income: $127,553
- Median home value: $380,700 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,988 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Buffalo Grove High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)

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#4. Hinsdale, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 24
- Population: 17,169
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $962,700 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,875 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Westmont High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)

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#3. Long Grove, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 22
- Population: 8,279
- Median household income: $236,172
- Median home value: $721,100 (96% own)
- Median rent: $3,501 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+), Carmel Catholic High School (grade A)

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#2. Clarendon Hills, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 18
- Population: 8,658
- Median household income: $115,923
- Median home value: $570,600 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,126 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Westmont High School (grade A+), Walker School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Nazareth Academy (grade A), Benet Academy (grade A), Hinsdale Adventist Academy (grade A)

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#1. Naperville, Illinois

- Overall Rank: 15
- Population: 149,089
- Median household income: $143,754
- Median home value: $482,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,787 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (grade A+), Neuqua Valley High School (grade A+), Metea Valley High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.

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