Illinois' 5 Safest Chicago Suburbs In 2025, According To Data

Chicago, aka the Windy City, is well known for its deep-dish pizza, beloved Bears football team, and iconic river snaking past its modern skyscrapers. This Lake Michigan city also has some of the safest places to live in America. According to GoBankingRates' 2025 ranking of the safest and richest places to live in the U.S., three Chicago suburbs were listed in the top 10, including the No. 1 spot. The state also had multiple other suburbs included in the top 50 safest, showing an impressive consistency across Chicago's cityscape.

Whether looking for places to live or visit in Chicago, safety should be a priority. A safe environment can help you better relax and enjoy your time here, especially if you're traveling with children. According to Western City, safer communities also tend to be the most vibrant, as people in the community feel more comfortable mingling, spending time outside, and attending local events. This is important for both residents and visitors looking to immerse themselves in local scenes instead of sticking to tourist sites.

For this list, we've looked at the aforementioned GoBankingRates' report while also cross-checking these Chicago suburbs with those highlighted by Niche as the safest places to live in Chicago for 2025. The five Chicago suburbs included below (in no particular order) are featured on both platforms, scoring at least a B-plus crime and safety grade on Niche. If you're looking for a peaceful and relaxing neighborhood, these suburbs should be a safe bet.

Located about 15 miles west of Downtown Chicago, Western Springs is a hub for entertainment, shops, restaurants, and comfortable living. This comfortability stems from its overall safety, as Western Springs was listed as the safest and richest U.S. city in 2025 by GoBankingRates. It's also considered one of the best places to live in Cook County on Niche, scoring an A-plus for overall livability, including an A-minus grade for crime and safety.

One resident comments on Niche, "I have lived here for 18 years. I went to elementary school, middle school, and high school here and have never felt more safe and included in a community. This place feels like home." Crime rates here are well below the national average, and the majority of residents feel they have no safety concerns here.

The Western Springs train station connects to the Chicago Union Station in about 35 minutes via the BNSF. This area has fine-dining establishments, such as Davanti Enoteca, a highly rated Italian restaurant known for its rich timber decor, wide variety of dishes, and agreeable wine prices. Notable attractions in the suburb include the Theatre of Western Springs, which showcases plays, musicals, and live bands, and the lush Spring Rock Park, where you can play pickleball and tennis, picnic on the grass, and run around with your kids in the playgrounds. You can also learn more about the suburb at the historic Western Springs Water Tower, which has been turned into a museum showcasing early-1900s artifacts, historical accounts, and rotating exhibits related to the suburb and its current or former residents. 

Next door to Western Springs, only a couple more stops west on the BNSF, sits the charming and consistently safe suburb of Hinsdale. Niche ranks Hinsdale in the top three suburbs to live in Chicago and, based on the data, considers it the best place for raising a family in the entire state. Along with an A-minus grade for crime and safety, Niche gives Hinsdale an A-plus for families, public schools, and overall livability.

Unsurprisingly, Hinsdale also came in as GoBankingRates' 17th safest and richest place to live in the U.S and the fifth in Illinois. Violent crimes, such as assault and robbery, are significantly lower than the national average. Motor vehicle thefts and house burglaries are also a fraction of what other neighborhoods experience.

Thanks to its position on the BNSF train line, Hinsdale is less than a one-hour commute from Downtown Chicago. There are plenty of reasons to explore its neighborhoods as well, including its picturesque downtown, good eats, and friendly community. Sweet Ali's Gluten Free Bakery is a local institution, garnering a 4.7-star rating on Google. Pop in for a sweet treat, such as mini cheesecake, macarons, scones, and cinnamon buns. The Community House, located at Robbins Park, also highlights the tight-knit nature of this suburb. It runs various art and active programs for adults and children, from painting and dance to yoga and pickleball.

Kenilworth is a charming suburb and village along the shore of Lake Michigan about 15 miles north of downtown. It's on the Union Pacific North Line, so there are also convenient train links to the city center in just over 30 minutes. The suburb is known for its small-town atmosphere punctuated by wide green spaces, various community events, and a handful of local dining hotspots. 

Kenilworth is No. 8 on GoBankingRates' list, and the suburb also had the lowest violent crime rate out of all the ones in the top 50, standing at 0 per 1,000 residents. Pulled from local police and FBI crime rates, Niche's data tells a similar story, with an A grade for crime and safety. The platform also considers Kenilworth one of the best places in Cook County to raise a family, giving it an A-plus rating overall. "I grew up in Kenilworth, and I have so much gratitude for the safe and healthy environment this town has provided me," one resident writes on Niche.

While it scores high for safety, Kenilworth only gets a passing mark for diversity (like most of the suburbs on this list). Some find the vibes here to be elitist and money-driven, but almost everyone agrees that it is an aesthetically beautiful place to live and visit. One of its architectural highlights is the grand house from the iconic 1987 Christmas film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Its natural beauty, however, is best seen at Kenilworth Beach, where Lake Michigan waters lap against a sandy shore.

Winnetka is Kenilworth's neighbor, only two train stops further north, offering great connectivity to the city center alongside Lake Michigan beach vibes. Winnetka was found to be the second safest and richest place to live in Illinois by GoBankingRates, coming in at No. 7. A big contributor towards this high ranking was its low violent crime rate at 0.164 per 1,000 residents.

The family-friendly suburb also performs well on Niche, scoring an A-plus for overall livability and an A-minus for crime and safety. Residents say Winnetka is a safe and conveniently located suburb, but like its neighbor Kenilworth, it also has a reputation for having an entitled community. Others say the people here are welcoming and friendly, helping to make you feel at home almost immediately. "I have lived in Winnetka my entire life and loved it for the community, schools, and nature," one resident says on Niche.

All things considered, Winnetka really is a Lake Michigan gem with its sandy beaches, boutiques, and small-town charm. Along Elm Street is a hub for retail therapy, with inviting local shops all within walking distance. The Book Stall is a charming independent store selling new fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. It also hosts author talks, storytime readings, and other events. Frances Heffernan is just across the street, offering upscale women's fashion options. Don't forget to visit the house from "Home Alone," one of America's most nostalgic Christmas movie locations and the top thing to do in the suburb, according to Tripadvisor. 

Wilmette came in at No. 35 on GoBankingRates' list, although it has one of the lower violent crime rates. It also scored a B-plus on Niche for crime, with over 60% of surveyed residents saying they have no concerns about safety. One resident writes on Niche, "I've always appreciated how clean and safe it is, with tree-lined streets, a stunning lakefront, and friendly neighbors who genuinely care about each other." These kinds of sentiments are part of the reason Wilmette is considered one of the best places to raise a family in Illinois. Solid nightlife and diversity grades also reflect a more lively and varied atmosphere than some of its neighboring suburbs.

Great dining and social scenes can be found around Central Avenue. The Valley Lodge Tavern is a popular hangout for some pub food and drinks. Inside, you can find locals sitting at the bar watching sports, while the front patio seating is great for a drink in the sunshine. On sunny days, you can also head to the sandy Gillson Beach for swimming and sunbathing. Those interested in the suburb's history may also enjoy a visit to the Wilmette History Museum, which exhibits local stories and characters in a former village hall built in 1896. The Bahá'í House of Worship is another iconic sight that's almost impossible to miss. This temple's white dome and nine gardens stand out near Wilmette Harbor. 

To put together this comprehensive list of the five safest Chicago suburbs, we cross-referenced the places featured on GoBankingRates' list of top 50 safest and richest U.S. cities, along with those highlighted on Niche's 2025 list of Safe Suburbs in the Chicago Area. We made sure only to include destinations that appeared on both lists, with a minimum Niche crime and safety grade of B-plus. Both platforms used FBI crime reports for determining overall safety, as well as data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

We also referred to Niche's resident surveys and reviews of the selected suburbs to determine how happy people are with the neighborhoods and quality of life. However, it's important to note that most of these areas lack diversity, and in some cases, former residents have expressed that non-white residents may not feel welcome. There were many other Chicago suburbs rated highly by Niche that also deserve honorable mentions, including Naperville, Kildeer, Lincolnshire, and Riverwoods. Another standout is Campton Hills, a family-friendly Illinois gem with a gorgeous rural vibe that was ranked as the state's safest city by SafeWise.