Chicago is BOOMING... But Here's What Nobody Tells You

Chicago’s real estate spotlight is shifting fast. While headlines focus on downtown’s rebound, the real growth story is unfolding in the Chicago Suburbs. In this video, we dive into the explosive suburban boom transforming communities like Lemont, La Grange, Orland Park, Palos Heights, and Tinley Park, revealing the opportunities, challenges, and hidden costs every homebuyer needs to know.

If you prefer reading, here are the cliff notes ⬇️

5 Key Takeaways from “Why Chicago and Its Suburbs Are Booming Right Now”

1. Chicago’s Population Growth Is Driven by the Suburbs: The Chicago metro area gained over 70,000 residents in 2024, ranking 9th in U.S. metro growth and nearly all that growth is happening outside the city. Western and outer suburbs are booming thanks to job creation, economic diversification, and quality-of-life advantages.

2. Affordability and Lifestyle Fuel the Migration: Suburbs like Orland Park and Tinley Park offer far more affordable housing than comparable national markets. Families, professionals, and empty nesters are drawn by larger homes, better schools, and expanded remote work options that make suburban life more practical and appealing.

3. Top Suburbs Leading the Boom:

   • Lemont: Historic charm and strong access via I-55 with homes averaging $527K.

   • La Grange: Urban-suburban mix with walkable downtown and express train to Chicago with homes around $590K.

   • Palos Heights: Great for outdoor enthusiasts with a median home price of $400K.

   • Tinley Park: Best entry-level value at $330K median, highly competitive market.

   • Orland Park: Major revitalization investments and strong amenities around $400K median.

4. Hidden Trade-Offs and Realities of Suburban Living: The suburban dream comes with longer commutes, higher property taxes, and maintenance costs, especially in older or historic communities. Property taxes in Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties average 2–2.4%, among the highest in the nation.

5. Avoiding Hidden Costs and Buyer Mistakes: Buyers should factor in taxes, HOA fees, and commute costs before purchasing. Competition in hot suburbs leads to bidding wars, so doing local due diligence like checking school districts, tax trends, and neighborhood plans—is essential to avoid costly surprises.

Hope this was helpful!

John Sintich, Realtor® 

Keller Williams Preferred Realty

708-612-0644