Do you want to live in an Indiana beach town near Chicago? You have many options. Indiana’s lake towns on Lake Michigan are beautiful and affordable with lower taxes than Illinois. Plus, you can take the South Shore Line train to Chicago in 1.5 hours or less. This is great for people who don’t have to commute to Chicago for work every day and can work from home some days. Below are the best Indiana beach towns to live in near Chicago.
Check out our List of the Richest Towns in Indiana
Best Indiana Lake Towns near Chicago
Ogden Dunes, IN
Ogden Dunes is the best Indiana lake town near Chicago.
Located along Lake Michigan, Ogden Dunes residents have an easy commute to Chicago.
It is one of the closest Indiana beach towns near Chicago- the drive to Chicago from Ogden Dunes is 56 minutes.
Ogden Dunes is also on the South Shore Line and there is a South Shore Line Train station right in town.
Aside from being one of the closest Indiana beach towns to Chicago, Ogden Dunes has the best beaches in Indiana.
It is a sought-after Indiana lake town with almost a mile of sandy beach at Ogden Dunes Beach, breathtaking sunsets over the lake, and a stone’s throw from the neighboring Indiana Dunes National Park.
Ogden Dunes is an affluent Indiana lake town with a median home value of $461,750 and residents enjoying a mean income of $165,963.
Ogden Dunes is truly one of the best lake towns to live in Indiana if you are looking for a town that is in close proximity to Chicago and has amazing beaches with lower Indiana tax rates.
| Ogden Dunes | |
| Median Home Value | $461,750 |
| Mean Income | $165,963 |
| South Shore Line Station | Ogden Dunes |
| Commute to Chicago | 1 hour (by car) |
Check out our list of the Richest Lake Towns in Indiana
Dune Acres, IN
Dune Acres is one of the best Indiana beach towns to live in to commute to Chicago.
Located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, Dune Acres is one of the closest Indiana lake towns to Chicago.
It is an easy commute to Chicago. An hour drive gets you from Dune Acres to downtown Chicago.
Dune Acres is also conveniently located on the South Shore Line commuter railroad. Dune Park station is only a mile away from Dune Acres.
Dune Acres is an exclusive lake town made of 165 single family homes on expansive lots and lake views with a median home value of $850,500.
It is one of the richest towns in Indiana with a mean income of $233,497.
Residents enjoy a beautiful 2 mile stretch of sandy beach on Lake Michigan.
Living in Dune Acres is like living in a resort community with a clubhouse, 24 hour security, tennis courts, basketball court, hiking trails, outdoor ice skating rink, and even organized town parties!
Dune Acres residents enjoy the best of both worlds- Indiana’s lakeside living while still being close to Chicago.
| Dune Acres | |
| Median Home Value | $850,500 |
| Mean Income | $233,497 |
| South Shore Line Station | Dune Park |
| Commute to Chicago | 51 minutes (by car) |
Check out our list of the Richest Suburbs of Indianapolis
Long Beach, IN
Long Beach is one of the best Indiana beach towns near Chicago.
Located along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, Long Beach is an Indiana beach town that is commutable to Chicago.
Long Beach is an hour and 30 minutes away from Chicago by car or an hour and 15 minutes by train on the South Shore Line commuter train (Carroll Avenue station).
Long Beach is a little too far for a daily commute into Chicago but if you can occasionally work from home to give yourself a break from the commute, then Long Beach is a good option for you.
Long Beach is an affluent Indiana lake town near Chicago with a mean income of $175,149 and a median home value of $707,164.
It is a small affluent Indiana beach town with a population of only 1,189 people.
Aside from the close proximity to Chicago, residents enjoy sandy beaches on Lake Michigan perfect for swimming and relaxing on the beach.
| Long Beach | |
| Median Home Value | $707,164 |
| Mean Income | $175,149 |
| South Shore Line Station | Closest Station is Carroll Avenue in Michigan City |
| Commute to Chicago | 1 hour and 30 minutes (by car) |
Check out our list of the Richest Illinois Beach Towns near Chicago
Michiana Shores, IN
Michiana Shores is another Indiana beach town on Lake Michigan that is close to Chicago.
Located on the Southern shore of Lake Michigan and near the Michigan border, Michiana Shores is an hour and 30 minute drive to Chicago.
Although there is no South Shore Line Train station in Michiana Shores, residents can easily drive 12 minutes to Michigan City to catch the train into Chicago.
Similar to Long Beach, Michiana Shores is a little too far for a daily commute to Chicago. But if you have the luxury to work from home a few days a week, living in Michiana Shores and working in Chicago is doable.
Michiana Shores is an affluent Indiana lake town where residents earn a mean income of $127,353 and median home prices are $614,767.
Michiana Shores residents have easy access to sandy beaches along Lake Michigan. It’s also near the beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Indiana Dunes National Park is a park on the shores of Lake Michigan with over 15 miles of shoreline and 200 feet sand dunes- a haven for nature lovers, bird watchers and hikers.
| Michiana Shores | |
| Median Home Value | $614,767 |
| Mean Income | $127,353 |
| South Shore Line Station | Closest station is Carroll Avenue in Michigan City |
| Commute to Chicago | 1 hour and 30 minutes (by car) |
Check out the Richest Beach Towns in Michigan
Beverly Shores, IN
Beverly Shores is one of the best Indian beach towns to live in near Chicago.
Located on the southern coast of Lake Michigan, Beverly Shores is a 1 hour and 20 minute drive to Chicago.
There is also a South Shore Line Train station right in Beverly Shores for an easy commute to Chicago.
A daily commute to Chicago from Beverly Shores can be a little bit too tiring. If you can work from home a few days a week, then living in Beverly Shores and commuting into Chicago is a good option.
Beverly Shores is an affluent Indiana beach town where residents earn $146,056 and the median home value is $612,630.
Beverly Shores is known for its beautiful beaches including picturesque Kemil Beach on Lake Michigan.
It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its close proximity to Indiana Dunes National Park.
| Beverly Shores | |
| Median Home Value | $612,630 |
| Mean Income | $146,056 |
| South Shore Line Station | Beverly Shores |
| Commute to Chicago | 1 hour and 20 minutes (by car) |
Michigan City, IN
Michigan City is one of the best Indiana beach cities near Chicago. It is one of the most affordable Indiana beach towns near Chicago with a median home price of $155,126.
Located in the northwestern part of Indiana, right on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Michigan City is an hour and 20 minutes drive to Chicago, making it a manageable commute for those who work in the city.
And with the South Shore Line train service operating between Michigan City and Chicago, daily commute is feasible although it’s probably better for your sanity if you can work from home some days.
Plus, there are two South Shore Line train stations in Michigan City, ensuring residents are always within a convenient distance for their commutes.
Michigan City has beautiful sandy beaches.
Washington Park Beach is the main beach in Michigan City and is a popular spot for both residents and tourists with sandy shores and a beautiful view of the Michigan City Lighthouse.
Michigan City is also a short drive away from Indiana Dunes National Park, a haven for nature enthusiasts with sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and over 15 miles of shoreline to explore.
Aside from the beaches, Michigan City is also home to a bustling downtown with shops, restaurants, breweries and art galleries.
If you’re looking for an affordable Indiana beach town to live in near Chicago on the South Shore Line with beautiful beaches and a bustling downtown, Michigan City is a great option for you.
| Michigan City, IN | |
| Median Home Value | $155,126 |
| Mean Income | $57,944 |
| South Shore Line Station | Carroll Avenue and 11th Street |
| Commute to Chicago | 1 hour and 20 minutes (by car) |