Top 5 Neighborhoods Where Home Values Are Rising Fast in the Western Suburbs

If you live or work in the western suburbs of Chicago, you’ve probably felt the market buzz this year. While some areas of the country have cooled, parts of the western suburbs are seeing solid price gains thanks to low inventory, strong schools, and commuter-friendly amenities. I looked at recent local market snapshots and here are five communities that are standing out in 2025 for fast-rising home values.

As always, real estate is hyper-local and sometimes market conditions vary neighborhood to neighborhood, even within the same city. If you ever have specific questions about the how the market looks in your specific area, please never hesitate to reach out to us!

1. Glen Ellyn — Big gains, premium demand

Snapshot: Redfin reported year-over-year home-price growth of ~22.8% with a median price around $625K in recent months.

Why it’s rising: Glen Ellyn’s combination of a charming, walkable downtown, highly rated schools, and a broad mix of housing (historic homes, mid-century, and newer subdivisions) keeps demand high. Buyers from the city and younger families are often willing to pay a premium for the town’s character and lifestyle.

What sellers should know: Tasteful staging and targeted marketing to commuters (Metra) and families typically produce strong buyer interest.

2. Wheaton — Strong buyer interest near conveniences

Snapshot: Recent Redfin data shows notable year-over-year price gains for Wheaton (Redfin flagged ~+23% in a recent snapshot; other local reports also point to mid-teens gains depending on the metric used). Median/listing prices are in the high-$400Ks–$500Ks range in many recent reports.

Why it’s rising: Wheaton blends top schools, easy access to downtown Wheaton (shops/restaurants), and proximity to parks and preserves. Low inventory and strong competition for family-friendly single-family homes have pushed prices upward.

Tip for buyers: Expect competition in desirable school districts and price your offers to reflect market interest; for sellers, focus on curb appeal and highlighting nearby amenities.

3. Lisle — Rapid percentage growth in a compact market

Snapshot: Redfin reported Lisle’s median price was up about 16.3% year-over-year with a median around the mid $400Ks in recent months. 

Why it’s rising: Lisle’s value proposition—smaller-town feel, walkable nodes, good schools, and reasonable access to major roadways and Metra—has become especially attractive to buyers priced out of more expensive suburbs. Because Lisle’s market is smaller, percentage moves can look large when inventory tightens.

Seller strategy: Small, high-impact updates and clear photography perform well; buyers value turnkey moves given the competition.

4. Naperville — steady, resilient demand in a large market

Snapshot: Zillow and local reports show Naperville posting modest year-over-year gains (Zillow shows ~5% growth in home value in recent data, with median values in the high-$500Ks–$600Ks range), though larger price moves vary by neighborhood and price tier. 

Why it’s rising: Naperville’s scale gives it both stability and continued demand—excellent schools, a vibrant downtown, and strong employment ties make it a perennial favorite. While percentage gains are smaller than some smaller towns, Naperville’s absolute price levels and liquidity attract investors and owner-occupants alike.

Buyer note: Neighborhood and school boundaries matter — prices can vary significantly by pocket. Work with a local agent who knows the micro-markets.

5. Elmhurst — desirable, walkable, and appreciating

Snapshot: Zillow’s home-value index shows Elmhurst with roughly a 4–5% year-over-year increase in average home value in recent data; local reporting highlights strong buyer interest in central Elmhurst and close-in neighborhoods. (Redfin snapshots show month-to-month variance, so use ZIP-level comps for precision). 

Why it’s rising: Elmhurst’s walkable downtown, Metra access, and park/recreation options keep it in demand. As with other popular suburbs, inventory constraints are an important driver of price appreciation.

Seller tip: Emphasize walkability and proximity to downtown in marketing; buyers looking for lifestyle amenities pay a premium.

Market context

Overall, the DuPage County market has shown mid-single-digit annual gains on many indexes (Zillow’s DuPage county snapshot shows ~+5% year-over-year in average home values), consistent with a broader pattern: the Midwest has been stronger than some Sunbelt markets in 2025, due to affordability and steady local demand.

What this means for buyers and sellers

For sellers:

• If your home is in a desirable school district, near Metra, or in a walkable downtown pocket, you may see stronger demand.

• Invest in curb appeal, professional photos, and a pre-listing plan that highlights lifestyle (schools, paths, parks).

• Price with confidence but leave room for negotiation strategy — multiple offers still happen in inventory-tight pockets.

For buyers:

• Be prepared with financing and a local agent who knows pocket-level comps (ZIP-level/streets matter).

• Consider expanding search radius slightly—nearby communities may offer better value while still giving access to the same amenities.

• Expect variability: small towns can post strong percentage gains because of low inventory; larger suburbs (Naperville) may be steadier but pricier.