Pros and Cons of Living in Arlington Heights, IL

The pros and cons of living in Arlington Heights, IL come down to a single trade: you pay above-average housing and property tax costs in exchange for safety, schools, and a walkable downtown with direct train service to Chicago. On the plus side, violent crime runs roughly 80 percent below the national average, John Hersey High School ranks among the top 15 in Illinois, and two Metra stations put the Loop 33 minutes away. On the minus side, the median property tax bill sits near 8,400 dollars, winters bring about 37 inches of snow, and the village is car-dependent outside the downtown core.

Whether that trade works depends on your stage of life. Families with school-age children and commuters who use the train tend to feel they are getting full value. Households on tighter budgets, remote workers who never touch the Metra, and anyone who prioritizes nightlife or year-round mild weather usually find better fits elsewhere. The sections below break down each side honestly, including the points that local real estate listings tend to leave out.

Quick Comparison

Pros	Cons
Violent crime about 80 percent below national average	Median property tax bill near 8,400 dollars a year
Top-ranked District 25 and District 214 schools	Housing costs above the Illinois average
Two Metra stations, 33 minutes to downtown Chicago	Car-dependent outside the downtown core
Walkable downtown with theater, dining, and shops	Winters averaging 37 inches of snow
56 parks, three pools, and Lake Arlington	Traffic congestion on Rand Road and Route 53
Illinois does not tax retirement income	Combined sales tax rate of 10.00 percent
Stable home values and fast resale	Arlington Park redevelopment still unresolved

The Pros of Living in Arlington Heights

Safety

Arlington Heights is one of the safer communities of its size in the country. FBI figures for 2024 show a violent crime rate near 50 incidents per 100,000 residents against a national rate around 359, and violent crime declined close to 40 percent year over year. Property crime sits at about 880 per 100,000. Overall crime runs 47 to 50 percent below the national average, and larceny is the most commonly reported category, which is typical of low-crime suburbs.

Schools

District 25 covers kindergarten through eighth grade with seven elementary schools and two middle schools, and Township High School District 214 handles high school. Village public schools average 47 percent math proficiency against a 27 percent state average. John Hersey High School posts a 96.4 percent four-year graduation rate with 62 percent AP participation, and Olive-Mary Stitt, Greenbrier, and Patton elementary schools all rank among the strongest in the state.

Commuting Options

Two stations on the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line run direct to Ogilvie Transportation Center, with express service in about 33 minutes. Drivers get a full I-90 interchange at Arlington Heights Road plus Route 53 access, and O'Hare International Airport sits roughly 25 minutes away. The average resident commute is 25 to 28 minutes, which is close to the national figure despite the distance from the city.

A Downtown You Can Actually Walk

Few northwest suburbs have a real center. Arlington Heights does. The blocks around Campbell, Vail, and Dunton hold independent restaurants, boutiques, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, and the 350-seat Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, all within a short walk of the train platform. Arlington Alfresco closes streets for open-air dining from May through September, and the farmers market runs Saturday mornings May through October.

Parks and Recreation

The park district operates more than 56 parks, three outdoor pools, the Arlington Lakes Golf Club, and the Lake Arlington Recreation Area, a 50-acre lake with a two-mile loop path, fishing pier, and summer boat rentals.

The Cons

Property Taxes

This is the most common complaint from residents. The median effective property tax rate sits near 2.52 percent, producing a median annual bill around 8,400 dollars, with bills ranging from roughly 7,414 dollars in the 60005 ZIP code to 8,795 dollars in 60004. That adds 620 to 730 dollars a month on top of principal and interest, and it is the line item most likely to surprise buyers relocating from lower tax states.

Housing Costs

Median home values fall between roughly 400,000 and 460,000 dollars depending on the data source, above the Illinois average, and two-bedroom downtown apartments commonly run 2,000 to 2,300 dollars a month. The market moves quickly, with homes going under contract in well under two months and multiple offers common in spring, which pressures buyers who need time to decide.

Winter Weather

The climate is humid continental. January averages a low near 17 degrees Fahrenheit, February is the snowiest month at roughly 5.7 inches, and the village receives 36 to 37 inches of snow annually against a national average around 28. Snow removal on private driveways and fronting sidewalks is the homeowner's responsibility.

Car Dependence Outside Downtown

Walkability drops sharply once you leave the station area. Neighborhoods such as Terramere, Northgate, and the far northern subdivisions require a car for groceries, school runs, and errands, and public transit options thin out considerably. Households in those areas typically run two vehicles, which raises the transportation share of the budget.

Traffic and Redevelopment Uncertainty

Rand Road, Northwest Highway, and the Route 53 corridor congest during rush hours, and rail crossings downtown add delays. The larger open question is the 326-acre former Arlington Park property. The Chicago Bears purchased the site in 2023, but as of mid 2026 the organization advanced a Northwest Indiana stadium plan while retaining ownership of the Arlington Heights land. Village leadership continues to pursue redevelopment, though the eventual outcome, and its effect on traffic and property values, remains unsettled.

Who Arlington Heights Fits Best

• Families prioritizing school quality and low crime over square footage per dollar.
• Commuters who will genuinely use the Metra several days a week.
• Downsizers wanting a walkable condo with dining and theater nearby.
• Retirees benefiting from the Illinois exemption on Social Security and pension income.
• Buyers who value stable resale demand over short-term appreciation.

It fits less well for first-time buyers stretched by both price and taxes, remote workers who gain nothing from the train access they are paying for, and anyone who wants a large lot at a moderate price, which is easier to find in Palatine or farther northwest.

Weighing It Out and Making the Move

Once the decision is made, the execution matters more than the debate. Downtown condo buildings often require insurance certificates and reserved elevator windows, older homes in Scarsdale and Stonegate have narrow stairwells, and a February move date brings salt and slush into the plan. Collins Family Movers has worked all of it across Chicago and the northwest suburbs since 2009, staffing every job with full-time, background-checked employees and quoting a locked-in flat rate so the price does not shift on move day. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington Heights, IL a good place to live?

For most families and commuters, yes. It combines low crime, strong schools, direct Metra service, and a walkable downtown. The main drawbacks are property taxes near 2.52 percent of value and housing costs above the Illinois average.

What is the biggest downside of living in Arlington Heights?

Property taxes are the most frequently cited drawback, with a median annual bill near 8,400 dollars. Cold winters and car dependence outside the downtown core follow as the next most common complaints.

Is Arlington Heights safe?

Yes. Violent crime runs about 50 incidents per 100,000 residents compared with a national rate near 359, and overall crime is roughly 47 to 50 percent below the national average. The village holds an A-minus safety grade.

Is Arlington Heights good for families?

It is one of the stronger family suburbs in the northwest corridor, with highly rated District 25 and District 214 schools, more than 56 parks, three outdoor pools, and extensive youth programming through the park district.

Is Arlington Heights worth the property taxes?

That depends on how much you use what the taxes fund. Households with children in the public schools and residents who rely on the park district generally feel the value is there. Retirees and childless households often feel it less directly.

Do you need a car in Arlington Heights?

Not if you live within a five to ten-minute walk of the downtown Metra station, where groceries, dining, and the train are close. Outer neighborhoods such as Terramere and Northgate are car-dependent for daily errands.

What is happening with the Arlington Park site?

The Chicago Bears purchased the 326-acre former racetrack property in 2023, but advanced a Northwest Indiana stadium plan in mid 2026 while retaining ownership. Village leadership continues pursuing redevelopment, and the outcome remains unresolved.