Naperville Named Best Suburb in America Again, And Yes, You Can Still Afford to Move There

Within the chaos of rising home prices, crowded metros, and remote work recalibrations, one Midwest city is standing out for all the right reasons. For the second year in a row, Naperville, Illinois, has been named the best suburb to live in the U.S., thanks to a trifecta of affordable housing, elite public schools, and community-first charm.

The Niche.com ranking, based on both hard data and millions of resident reviews, evaluated over 18,000 towns and cities nationwide. Naperville took the top best suburb spot, again, not just for its numbers, but for what those numbers enable: a quality of life that feels sustainable, human, and modern.

Located 34 miles west of downtown Chicago, Naperville isn’t exactly a hidden gem. But what’s remarkable is how well it continues to deliver on core lifestyle metrics, even as demand increases. The current median home value hovers around $569,000, according to Zillow, a relative bargain for a city with top-ranked schools and an active professional population.

A Suburban Blueprint That Works Wonders

Home to just under 150,000 residents, Naperville blends city energy with small-town stability. Most residents own their homes. Neighborhoods are dense but walkable. The city’s downtown area is lively without feeling chaotic. It’s a model suburb that doesn’t sacrifice individuality for efficiency.

Niche.com’s scoring model considered a broad spectrum of indicators: crime rates, employment statistics, cost of living, access to amenities, and local housing markets. But what pushed Naperville to being the best suburb was its ability to deliver across multiple generations and incomes.

For young professionals, there’s proximity to Chicago’s job market and enough local industry to stay rooted. For families, it’s the schools, some of the highest-rated in the nation. And for empty nesters or retirees? Parks, art centers, and a growing food scene.

“In Naperville, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks,” reads the Niche.com report. “Many families and young professionals live in Naperville, and residents tend to have moderate political views.”

All in all, it’s the best suburb where community happens on sidewalks, in town squares, and over a shared sense of upward mobility.

The New Standard for Affordable Excellence

While affordability is relative, Naperville topping the best suburb in America is proof that quality living doesn’t always require coastal salaries. Its balance of cost and lifestyle has attracted remote workers, transplants from larger metros, and upwardly mobile Millennials priced out of bigger cities.

In fact, Illinois as a whole is rarely mentioned in conversations about migration hotspots. Yet Naperville is now shaping the national narrative about what post-pandemic living can look like.

This isn’t just about value per square foot. It’s about creating a template for future growth, where schools remain strong, civic engagement matters, and housing supply doesn’t fall behind.

As urban planners and investors seek out “next cities,” Naperville checks multiple boxes: infrastructure, access, education, and safety. Even better? It does all of that without leaning into exclusionary pricing or bloated real estate speculation.

That’s no accident. Local policy has played a quiet but powerful role in maintaining balance, helping earn its reputation as the best suburb in America. The city continues to invest in public amenities that serve everyone, from playgrounds to tech hubs.

Why This Matters to Movers and Builders

Luke Skurman, CEO of Niche, said it best: “Where you live shapes so many aspects of your life, from career opportunities to the sense of community you feel.”

For professionals looking to relocate, Naperville is more than a safe bet. It’s an aspirational address that still feels grounded. And for developers, urbanists, and investors, it offers insight into what a resilient, livable city actually looks like when it’s not trying to be flashy.

This isn’t a boomtown. It’s a blueprint.

So while tech capitals continue to wrestle with affordability and migration fatigue, Naperville’s quiet rise as the best suburb feels more like a statement that yes, there’s still a place in America where good schools, clean streets, and attainable homes can coexist.And it’s not just livable. It’s leading as the best suburb in the U.S. to live in. Two times in a row.