Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. 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 biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Illinois using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. 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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1 / 30#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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2 / 30#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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3 / 30#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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4 / 30#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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5 / 30#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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6 / 30#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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7 / 30#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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8 / 30#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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9 / 30#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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10 / 30#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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11 / 30#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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12 / 30#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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13 / 30#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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14 / 30#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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15 / 30#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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16 / 30#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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17 / 30#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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18 / 30#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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19 / 30#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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20 / 30#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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21 / 30#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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22 / 30#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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23 / 30#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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24 / 30#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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25 / 30#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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26 / 30#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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27 / 30#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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28 / 30#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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29 / 30#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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30 / 30#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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