Do you want an affordable and convenient home in the Chicago suburbs? Many people do, and they choose to live in commuter towns outside of Chicago. These Chicago suburbs have cheap housing and easy commutes to the city. We will show you cheap Chicago suburbs with median home prices from $200K to $300K. These towns have short commutes to downtown Chicago, less than an hour or even 35 minutes, by Metra. Here are the cheapest Chicago commuter towns to live in.
Check out the Most Affordable Towns near Chicago
Affordable Commuter Towns in the Chicago Suburbs
1. Wheeling, IL
- Median Sale Price: $262,615
- Commute time to Chicago: 54 minutes
Wheeling is one of the most affordable Chicago suburbs with an easy commute to Chicago. Located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Wheeling has a median home sale price of $262,615.
The commute to downtown Chicago is approximately 54 minutes via the Metra, making it an accessible town for residents seeking suburban homes and amenities with easy access to the city.
Wheeling stands out for its family-friendly amenities like the beloved outdoor local water park, The Heritage Park Family Aquatic Center.
It’s also known for its vibrant dining scene. Milwaukee Avenue, also known as restaurant row, serves as the culinary heart of Wheeling, offering a diverse range of dining options.
Moreover, Wheeling Town Center has become a central hub for residents.
Wheeling’s affordable home prices, family-friendly amenities, vibrant dining scene, and easy commute make it a popular choice among the best Chicago suburbs for commuters.
Check out our list of the Best Suburbs in Chicago for Families
2. Berkeley, IL
- Median Sale Price: $281,269
- Commute time to Chicago: 34 minutes
Berkeley is one of the most affordable Chicago commuter towns with a median sale price of $281,269 and an easy 34-minute commute to Chicago on the Metra.
It is one of the best Chicago suburbs for commuters.
It’s a Chicago suburb with a small-town feel with a population of just over 5000 residents.
Check out the Cheapest Beach Towns to Live in Near Chicago
3. Aurora
- Median Sale Price: $281,492
- Commute time to Chicago: 58 minutes
Aurora is one of the most affordable commuter towns in Chicago with median home prices of $281,492 and a 58 minute commute to Chicago.
As Illinois’ second-largest city, Aurora has a vibrant downtown filled with shopping and restaurants. Don’t miss the annual Food Truck Festival held downtown.
Aurora is also a shopper’s haven home to Chicago Premium Outlet.
A major attraction in Aurora is the Fox River, a hub for recreational activities where residents can enjoy scenic riverside walks, boating, and fishing. The city is also home to more than 80 parks.
Aurora’s blend of city living in a suburban setting, affordable home prices and easy commute to Chicago make it one of the best Chicago suburbs to live in.
Check out the Richest Suburbs of Chicago
4. Berwyn, IL
- Median Sale Price: $293,064
- Commute time to Chicago: 22 minutes
Berwyn is one of the most affordable commuter towns to Chicago with a median home price of $293,064.
Bordering Chicago’s West Side, Berwyn is an easy 22-minute Metra train ride to the city.
Berwyn offers more than affordability and proximity to Chicago. It’s home to the historic and well-loved music venue, FitzGerald’s.
And Berwyn residents don’t have to venture far for shopping and dining with a variety of shops and eateries along Cermak Road plus the award-winning Mediterranean restaurant, Autre Monde.
You really can’t beat the convenience, affordability and short commute of 22 minutes!
Check out our list of Free Things to Do in Chicago
5. Palatine
- Median Sale Price: $297,481
- Commute time to Chicago: 60 minutes
Palatine is one of the most affordable commuter suburbs of Chicago with a median sale price of $297,481.
The commute to downtown Chicago is 60 minutes via the Metra.
Palatine also stands out for its education, according to Niche.com, it ranks as the 10th best school district in the Chicago area (School District 211).
Central to Palatine’s appeal is its downtown, which serves as a hub for the community with a range of shops and restaurants.
Adding to the convenience is Palatine’s Metra station, which is ideally situated close to the downtown area.
6. Flossmoor
- Median Sale Price: $307,192
- Commute time to Chicago: 51 minutes
Flossmoor is one of the most affordable Chicago suburbs for commuters with a median sale price of homes of $307,192.
Flossmoor is an easy 51 minute Metra train ride to downtown Chicago.
Flossmoor’s appeal lies in its historic downtown and Tudor-style architecture. It has a charming downtown with shops and restaurants.
Flossmoor’s blend of historic charm, affordable home prices and easy commute to the city makes it one of the best Chicago suburbs to live in.
7. Buffalo Grove
- Median Sale Price: $354,673
- Commute time to Chicago: 55 minutes
Buffalo Grove is one of the best Chicago suburbs with affordable home prices of $354,673.
It’s an easy 55 minute train ride on the Metra from Buffalo Grove to downtown Chicago.
Buffalo Grove is a home to many parks. Among them is the Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve, a favorite among locals, offering fishing, hiking, and even archery.
Adding to the town’s outdoor amenities is the Riverwalk along Buffalo Creek, providing a serene spot for leisurely strolls and outdoor recreation.
Buffalo Grove also hosts community festivals, with the annual Buffalo Grove Days being a highlight. This event brings residents together for a celebration with great music and food.
8. Skokie, IL
- Median Sale Price: $369,500
- Commute time to Chicago: 28 minutes
Skokie is one of the best places to live to commute to Chicago.
Located to the northwest of Chicago, Skokie residents enjoy an easy 28 minute train ride to Chicago from either Des Plaines or Morton Grove Metra stations.
Home prices are also affordable at Skokie with a median sale price of $369,500.
And Skokie schools are one of the best. According to Niche.com, Skokies schools are ranked 9th among the best school districts in the Chicago area.
Skokie is also known for its robust arts scene. It’s home to the historic Skokie Theatre and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.
For nature enthusiasts, The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is a highlight, providing a peaceful setting for leisurely strolls and runs.
In short, Skokie combines affordable housing, a quick commute, and great schools, making it one of the best places to live for easy commuting to Chicago.
9. Oak Park, IL
- Median Sale Price: $371,327
- Commute time to Chicago: 21 minutes
Oak Park is one of the best Chicago suburbs for commuting downtown.
Located just a 21-minute Metra ride from downtown Chicago, Oak Park is a family-friendly suburb with median home prices of $371,327.
Oak Park is a beautiful suburb with charming tree-lined streets and one of the standout features of Oak Park is its architectural richness.
From Victorian homes to Art Deco and Craftsman-style residences, the suburb offers a diverse array of home styles. Notably, it boasts several homes designed by the celebrated architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Oak Park also has a charming downtown, especially the Hemingway District, which is lined with quaint shops and restaurants.
Oak Park’s family-friendly environment, affordable housing, short commute time, and architectural diversity make it one of the most appealing Chicago suburbs for commuters and families alike.
10. Arlington Heights, IL
- Median Sale Price: $381,404
- Commute time to Chicago: 53 minutes
Arlington Heights is one of the most affordable Chicago suburbs with an easy commute to downtown.
With median home prices of $381,404, it’s an attractive Chicago suburb since it’s also home to some of the best schools in Chicagoland.
Niche.com ranks Arlington Heights schools as the 13th best school district in the Chicago area.
Commuting to Chicago from Arlington Heights is easy. Just catch the Metra train from the Arlington Heights station and it’s a 53 minute train ride to downtown Chicago.
If you’re looking for a walkable downtown, Arlington Heights is a good choice. Arlington Heights has a vibrant downtown filled with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants
11. Evanston, IL
- Median Sale Price: $388,131
- Commute time to Chicago: 28 minutes
Evanston is one of the best Chicago suburbs for commuters for many reasons.
First, you simply can’t beat the commute to Chicago. Evanston is an easy 28 minute train ride to Chicago on the Metra.
To top it off, Evanston is affordable with a median sale price of homes of $388,131.
Plus, Evanston has one of the best school districts in the Chicago suburbs. Niche.com ranks Evanston 6th among Chicago’s best school districts.
And as a suburb located on Lake Michigan, Evanston residents enjoy access to beaches and stunning Lake Michigan.
Furthermore, home to Northwestern University, Evanston is also a college town with restaurants, shops, and year-round community events.
12. Itasca, IL
- Median Sale Price: $399,954
- Commute time to Chicago: 40 minutes
Itasca is one of the most affordable commuter suburbs of Chicago with a median sale price of $399,954 and a 40-minute commute to Chicago.
Itasca residents enjoy the scenic riverwalk which connects downtown to many town facilities such as the library and Itasca water park
Itasca residents don’t have to venture far for shopping and dining.
Itasca has a quaint downtown, Main Street is a hub of activity, filled with charming shops. Plus Itasca is a short drive to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.
13. Downers Grove, IL
- Median Sale Price: $407,962
- Commute time to Chicago: 30 minutes
Downers Grove is one of the best Chicago suburbs for commuters. With a median home price of $407,962 and a 30-minute commute to Chicago, it ranks among the best places suburbs of Chicago.
It has one of the best Main Streets in the Chicago suburbs, its bustling downtown is filled with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Downers Grove is also a community-oriented town with many annual festivals from the annual Turkey Trot to burn off those calories post-Thanksgiving to Winter Ice Festival, which transforms Main Street into a wonderland of ice sculptures.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Downers Grove will not disappoint. It is home to over 60 parks with amazing parks like McCollum Park, Patriots Park for fishing and Veteran Memorial Park, a favorite spot for summer concerts.