Choosing the best suburbs of Chicago in 2026 comes down to schools, safety, commute, and rent. Chicagoland has more than 200 suburbs, and the right one depends on your budget and how you live. Some towns win on top-rated schools. Others win on a short Metra ride downtown or a lower monthly rent. This guide ranks the strongest picks and shows what each one costs.
At Collins Family Movers, we help families move across Chicagoland every week. We have carried boxes into starter condos in Oak Park and four-bedroom homes in Naperville. Based on that hands-on work, and on current housing and safety data, we put together this list to help you pick a suburb with confidence and skip the guesswork.
- How We Ranked the Best Chicago Suburbs
- Best Chicago Suburbs at a Glance (2026)
- Naperville: The Family Favorite
- Evanston: Lakefront and College Energy
- Oak Park: History and the Shortest Commute
- Clarendon Hills: Small-Town Family Life
- Schaumburg: Jobs and Shopping
- More Suburbs Worth a Look
- A Note on Illinois Taxes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Move to Your New Suburb?
How We Ranked the Best Chicago Suburbs
We looked at five factors that shape daily life:
- Schools: public district ratings and access to strong high schools.
- Safety: local crime levels and how walkable each town feels at night.
- Cost: average rent and property tax load.
- Commute: Metra and CTA access, plus drive time to the Loop.
- Lifestyle: downtowns, parks, dining, and family events.
Two Chicago suburbs earned national attention this year. Livability named Naperville No. 4 and Evanston No. 13 on its 2026 Best Places to Live list, and Niche ranked Clarendon Hills the top suburb to raise a family in the country.
Best Chicago Suburbs at a Glance (2026)
| Suburb | Average Rent (1-BR range) | Best For | Commute to Loop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $1,880–$2,097 | Families, schools | 45–60 min Metra |
| Evanston | $2,463–$2,617 | Students, lakefront | 30–40 min CTA/Metra |
| Oak Park | $1,534–$1,951 | Architecture, transit | 20–30 min CTA/Metra |
| Clarendon Hills | Mid $2,000s | Small-town family life | ~35 min Metra |
| Schaumburg | $1,688–$1,942 | Jobs, shopping | 45–70 min |
| Arlington Heights | ~$1,869 | Quiet, walkable downtown | 40–50 min Metra |
| Buffalo Grove | Low $2,000s | Affordable, good schools | 55–70 min |
Rent figures reflect 2026 market data from RentCafe, Rent.com, and Apartment List. Prices shift by building and month.
Naperville: The Family Favorite
Naperville is the crown jewel of the western suburbs. The city of about 150,000 people keeps landing on national "best places" lists thanks to its schools, safety, and family feel. The Naperville Riverwalk runs nearly two miles along the DuPage River with paths, bridges, and parks.
The average rent sits around $2,097, with one-bedroom units near $1,880 and two-bedrooms near $2,252, per RentCafe. Homes are pricier here, but the trade is strong public schools in Districts 203 and 204. The Metra BNSF Line reaches downtown in about an hour. A side-by-side of Naperville versus Chicago shows the space and cost trade-off for families.
Evanston: Lakefront and College Energy
Evanston sits right on Lake Michigan and is home to Northwestern University. It blends a college-town feel with easy access to the city. Residents ride the CTA Purple Line or Metra to reach downtown in 30 to 40 minutes.
Rent runs higher here. The average is about $2,617, with one-bedrooms near $2,463. A full Evanston versus Chicago breakdown weighs the lakefront perks against the higher rent. With Northwestern's campus nearby, the town fills with students each fall, and a Chicago dorm move-in runs on its own calendar of assigned time slots and tight elevator windows.
Oak Park: History and the Shortest Commute
Oak Park borders the city's western edge, so the commute is one of the shortest on this list. The CTA Green and Blue Lines plus Metra all serve the town, putting the Loop 20 to 30 minutes away. Oak Park is famous for Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and tree-lined streets.
The median rent is about $1,951, with one-bedrooms near $1,534, making it more affordable than Evanston. Note that Cook County property taxes here run high, often 2.5% to 3.5% of value. An Oak Park versus Chicago look shows why renters pick it for city access, walkability, and character without a downtown price tag.
Clarendon Hills: Small-Town Family Life
Clarendon Hills earned the No. 1 spot on Niche's 2026 list of best suburbs to raise a family in the United States. This small community of under 8,000 people sits about 23 miles southwest of the city. Families praise its walkable downtown, community pool, weekly farmers market, and summer concerts.
Kids can walk to top-rated schools in District 181 and Hinsdale District 86. The Metra BNSF Line reaches downtown in about 35 minutes. Clarendon Hills borders Westmont and Hinsdale, so shops and dining stay close. It fits families who want a safe, tight-knit town with real Chicago access.
Schaumburg: Jobs and Shopping
Schaumburg is a job and retail hub northwest of the city. Woodfield Mall anchors a large business district, so many residents work close to home. The average rent is about $1,942, with studios near $1,520 and one-bedrooms near $1,777.
The town offers parks, an entertainment district, and quick highway access. The commute downtown runs longer, closer to an hour by car or rail. Schaumburg suits workers who want lower rent, a short work commute, and plenty of shopping and dining.
More Suburbs Worth a Look
- Arlington Heights: an affluent northwest town with a lively downtown and the Metra UP-NW Line. Rent averages around $1,869, and an Arlington Heights versus Chicago comparison covers the full trade-off.
- Buffalo Grove: one of the more affordable picks, with well-ranked schools and lots of parks.
- Downers Grove and Wheaton: western suburbs with strong schools and BNSF or UP-West Metra access.
- Skokie and Glenview: north-side towns with good transit and family amenities.
- Wilmette: a premium North Shore choice where rents can top $5,000.
A Note on Illinois Taxes
Illinois has the second-highest property taxes in the country, with an effective rate near 2.08%, per FreeFinCalc and other 2026 sources. Cook County suburbs like Oak Park and Evanston often run 2.5% to 3.5%. DuPage County averages closer to 1.95% and Lake County near 2.4%. Chicago's combined sales tax is 10.25%. Factor taxes into your total cost, not just rent.
Those property tax bills are a big reason behind moving out of Chicago to lower-tax states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Chicago suburb for families in 2026?
Clarendon Hills and Naperville lead for families. Both offer top-rated schools, low crime, and walkable downtowns. Naperville is larger with more amenities, while Clarendon Hills is smaller and quieter.
Which Chicago suburb has the shortest commute downtown?
Oak Park and Evanston have the shortest commutes. Both border the city and are served by CTA rail plus Metra, reaching the Loop in 20 to 40 minutes.
What is the average rent in Chicago suburbs?
Most suburbs range from about $1,500 to $2,600 for a one-bedroom in 2026. Oak Park and Schaumburg sit on the lower end, while Evanston and North Shore towns cost more.
Are Chicago suburbs cheaper than the city?
Some are, but many carry higher property taxes than the city proper. Rent can be lower in towns like Schaumburg and Oak Park, though total housing cost depends heavily on local tax rates.
When is the best time to move to a Chicago suburb?
Spring and fall offer mild weather and better mover availability. Winter moves cost less but bring snow risk, and booking a weekday in the off-season can trim your bill by 10% to 20%.
Ready to Move to Your New Suburb?
Once you pick your town, Collins Family Movers can handle the rest. We are a licensed and insured Chicago moving company with crews who know every suburb on this list. We provide clear estimates, careful handling, and on-time arrivals. Contact us for a free quote and let us make your suburb move simple.