Best places to live in the Chicago metro area

Written by:
July 8, 2025
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Best places to live in the Chicago metro area

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the Chicago metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

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#25. Glenview

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 47,682

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#24. La Grange

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 15,999

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#23. Libertyville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 20,493

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#22. Glen Ellyn

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 28,270

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#21. Lake Forest

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 19,190

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#20. Highland Park

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 30,229

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#19. Deerfield

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 19,185

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#18. Tower Lakes

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 1,148

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#17. Bannockburn

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 1,125

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#16. Riverside

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 9,079

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#15. Lake Bluff

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 5,834

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#14. Hawthorn Woods

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 9,145

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#13. Riverwoods

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 3,988

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#12. Western Springs

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 13,353

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#11. Wilmette

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 27,550

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#10. Northbrook

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 34,642

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#9. Long Grove

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 8,266

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#8. Buffalo Grove

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 42,824

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#7. Evanston

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 76,552

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#6. Lincolnshire

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 7,937

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#5. Kildeer

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 4,189

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#4. Vernon Hills

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 26,772

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#3. Hinsdale

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 17,155

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#2. Clarendon Hills

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 8,642

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#1. Naperville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 149,424

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