As a born-and-bread Chicago suburb gal, I know a thing or two about what doesn't belong on a hot dog, just how accurate the Northshore accents are on The Bear and trekking back and forth to the Loop by car or Metra. So if you're looking to make the jump from city to burbs, I know firsthand that you've got some solid options with great public schools, affordable costs of living and easy commutes. There are a bazillion wonderful townships, but if you’ll be commuting to and from the city for work—or you simply want easy access to the Tamale Guy—you’ll want to be able to get there without too much of a hurdle. Based on my own experience living in the Chicago suburbs, as well as interviews with long-time residents and local officials, I've selected the ten best suburbs to commute to Chicago. (And no, just because you're moving to Evanston doesn't mean you can put ketchup on your dog, OK?)
The 10 Best Suburbs to Commute to Chicago
30 minutes of 'me' time on the train? Let's go
1. Skokie, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 23 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 45 minutes
- Median Home Price: Approximately $408,000
“Whether you’re traveling by bike, car or public transit, getting from Skokie to Chicago is a breeze," shares Patrick Deignan, the Village's communications and engagement director. “Skokie is well connected to the Chicago area’s exceptional public transportation network, and is served by the CTA’s Skokie Swift rapid transit line and CTA and Pace suburban bus lines. The Edens Expressway spans the Village’s western edge, providing drivers with easy access to both Chicago and the North Shore suburbs, while cyclists can pedal into the city via the off-street North Shore Channel and Skokie Valley trails.”
Only 15 miles from Chicago’s Loop, Skokie, dare we say, has it all. Going to a Cubs game and don’t want to worry about parking? Park at the CTA Yellow Line, transfer at Howard to the Red Line and arrive at Addison in 40 minutes or so. (I grew up going to Cubs games this route, and it was always its own adventure.) There are also less exciting reasons to head to the city. “I just took the Metra from the Edgebrook Station (just south of Skokie) to Union Station for jury duty,” says 33-year resident of Skokie Mara L. “It was a fast 30 minutes. Safe. And $2 to park.”
But you don’t have to skip town to enjoy yourself. Skokie’s historic corridor on Lincoln Avenue is cute as pie replete with a hometown theater. On that note, arts and culture do exist in the burbs. See: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Northlight Theatre and the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, and The Illinois Holocaust Museum are all based here. There’s also Westfield Old Orchard, an upscale outdoor mall with everything from Zara to Bloomingdale’s reimagined small format shop. And when it comes to dining, Skokie offers a melting pot of options: hit up Poochie’s for a best-in-class Chicago char burger or hot dog, Libertad for a city-worthy dining experience, or Pita Inn for some cult-favorite, no-frills falafel.
2. Buffalo Grove, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 45 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 40 minutes on express line
- Median Home Price: Approximately $400,000
This fairly large town sits approximately 35 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and is known for its excellent schools and strong sense of community—easy highway access and public transportation don’t hurt its reputation. U.S. News & World Report ranks Stevenson High School as 185th nationally and 7th in Illinois. Though the city isn’t known for having a central district, the sprawling town offers plenty of dining, shopping and fun. Visit the wonderful Willow Stream Park for tennis, disc golf, parks and seasonal ice skating rinks and don't miss Buffalo Grove Days, the annual end-of-summer festival that brings rides, food and live music to town. “Buffalo Grove is an incredible community, and we take pride in being a strong home base of ease and accessibility in the Chicagoland area. Not only is Chicago a short drive or train commute, but we also have access to an extensive trail network and so many other amenities in the northwest suburbs,” says Buffalo GroveVillage President Eric Smith.
3. Highland Park, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 36 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 45 minutes on express line
- Median Home Price: Around $675,000
This charming city is situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, which of course adds to its beautiful natural surroundings. Highland Park is a triple threat, offering highly rated schools, a wonderful cultural scene and a lovely, walkable downtown with boutique shops just blocks from the beach. On summer nights, head to Ravinia Festival for live music, whether you enjoy it in the amphitheater or on the lawn with a bottle of wine and picnic. (Psst: Commuters can hop off the Union Pacific North line inside the park.) You’ll also get to enjoy food truck nights, the highly curated Port Clinton Art Fair and much more. As for being one of the best suburbs to commute to Chicago? HP has that on lock. Long-time Northshore resident and Highland Park local, Erin M., who takes the UPN from the Highland Park station to her office three times a week says, “The hardest part of my commute is getting out of the house with my 3-year-old begging and screaming to put lipstick on her. But once I'm on the train, it's a like a peaceful sanctuary of 'me' time when I can listen to podcasts, read or get work done. It goes by so quickly. 10/10!” Uh, sold.
4. Flossmoor, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 33 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 40 minutes on express line
- Median Home Price: Around $300,000
Flossmoor, located 24 miles south of Chicago, is an easy ride down the Metra Electric commuter line. Beyond the ease of commuting, residents choose Flossmoor for its beautiful homes and neighborhoods, good schools and for its diverse and inclusive community spirit. "Flossmoor is a welcoming, beautiful, connected community that Chicagoans have been moving to for many decades," says Nicole Castagna, Village of Flossmoor Communications Manager. "Now in our 100th year, we are proud to continue building on our rich history for generations to come." From the beautiful, affordable homes and tight-knit neighborhoods to the unique public art collection and charming downtown business district, Flossmoor makes the best Chicago suburbs list for lots of reasons.
5. Naperville, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 36 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 45 minutes on express line
- Median Home Price: About $495,000
How could I not include Naperville as one of the best Chicago suburbs? Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the country, the city of 145,000 residents is about 30 miles west of downtown Chicago has a lot to offer beyond its access to multiple train stations and major highways. One of Naperville’s favorite brags is that it has the “amenities of a modern city and all the charm of a small town.” And with its excellent schools, Riverwalk, vibrant downtown and acclaimed library, Naperville certainly delivers on the promise.
6. Wheaton, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 41 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 1 hour
- Median Home Price: Approximately $410,000
Although Wheaton College is a dry campus, the city of Wheaton has been known for hosting an annual Wheaton Wine Walk and the Wheaton Brew Fest. In fact, this year, they’ve expanded the fest to include seltzer. Among an active community with lots of events, Wheaton is also home to a historic downtown with plenty of shops, restaurants and a farmers market. As for public space, the town boasts numerous parks and a robust forest preserve district that includes almost 25,000 acres, 31 lakes, 145 miles of trails and 1,450 picnic tables. You can even take horseback riding lessons at the Danada Equestrian Center.
7. Tinley Park, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 35 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 40 minutes on express train
- Median Home Price: Around $315,000
There’s a lot going on in this southwest suburb, including the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre—a live outdoor music venue that accommodates up to 28,000 people—and Tinley Park Convention Center, which brings lots and lots of business into town. As for locals, the city offers a diverse community and affordable housing options, which probably accounts for why the 2020 U.S. Census noted that Tinley Park was one of the fastest growing suburbs in the country. Since its centennial in 1992, the city has been focused on downtown renovation projects including various mixed-use developments like The Boulevard, a new indoor/outdoor brewery and a new plaza right-smack in the center of town.
8. Hinsdale, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 32 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 22 minutes on express line
- Median Home Price: About $1,200,000
A western suburb 20 miles outside of Chicago on the BNSF Metra Line, Hinsdale feels a bit like Pleasantville. Its robust and historic downtown—featuring more than 100 local shops—means you can spend the day hopping from brunch to the salon to coffee to shopping before meeting up with friends for dinner and drinks. And if you thought all of Illinois was flat, a walk around Hinsdale’s rolling hills and woodland will certainly change your mind. Grab your picnic supplies for an idyllic afternoon at one of the village’s many public spaces, like Katherine Legge Memorial Park, located on 52 acres of woodland and replete with all your park needs, including frisbee golf, tennis courts and a sledding hill (come winter, of course). There’s also the community pool to get in your laps, a skate park to practice your ollies and lots more.
9. Oak Park, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 20 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by CTA: 37 minutes from Green Line at Ridgeland
- Median Home Price: Approximately $430,000
Literally a hop, skip and a jump from Chicago proper, the Village of Oak Park is a very special place for lots of reasons. For one, it’s a Frank Lloyd Wright mecca. The architect’s Prairie School footprint is on display in dozens of private homes and public structures throughout the city. The walking tours are a delightful hat trick for out-of-towners (or friends visiting from the city). My in-laws visited recently, and you bet we took them on a Frank Lloyd Wright tour (along with our 3-year-old), and everybody enjoyed themselves. It’s also—literature geeks hold onto your pants—the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, and yes, you can tour the author’s childhood Queen Anne-style home. Historical treasure chest aside, Oak Park is uber family-friendly. Visit the penguins and polar bears at the Brookfield Zoo or get lost at the Galloping Ghost Arcade, the largest video arcade in the U.S.
10. Evanston, IL
- Commute time to/from Downtown by car: 23 minutes
- Commute time to/from Downtown by Metra: 40 minutes from Central St., Davis St., Main St.
- Median Home Price: Around $475,000
Evanston is kinda like “Chicago Lite” since it’s highly walkable with lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and a mix of buildings from new mid-rises to historic Victorians on tree-lined streets. It’s definitely got more in common with parts of the city like Andersonville, Lincoln Square or Lakeview than it is to, say, Buffalo Grove—which makes sense considering the city is directly north of Rogers Park with Lake Michigan as its eastern border. That said, it has its own school district and overall vibe.
Home to Northwestern University, there’s both a sense of collegiate seriousness (the gothic architecture helps) and a liberal, socially conscious spirit. In fact, in 2019, Evanston became the first city to pass a reparations resolution. Only 12 miles from Downtown Chicago, you can easily hop on the CTA Purple line or Metra or, if you dare to brave traffic, take the scenic view on Lake Shore Drive.
What Is the Most Affordable Suburb of Chicago?
Of course, “affordability” varies depending on lots of factors, including property taxes and what you value in a community. But to answer this question, we looked at suburbs of Chicago that are known for having lower costs with easier access to the city. Based on commuting options to the city, housing prices, property taxes and cost of living, it looks like the most affordable suburbs of Chicago are towns like Elgin, Aurora, Joliet and Waukegan. All of these cities have more affordable housing options compared to suburbs closer to the city and lower taxes. (And psst: Waukegan is even on the water.)
