Elite Tier — School Rating 9–10
Chicago has 6 neighborhoods that reach a school rating of 9 or 10 out of 10. These are the zones where public school performance is genuinely exceptional.
Strong Tier — School Rating 8
A school rating of 8/10 is well above the national average. Chicago has 11 neighborhoods in this tier. These neighborhoods have highly rated public schools without the top-tier price.
Best Value — Strong Schools Under $450,000
Full Chicago Neighborhood Rankings
| Neighborhood | Schools | Median Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | 9/10 | $2.5M |
| Naperville | 9/10 | $1.6M |
| Glenview | 9/10 | $1.7M |
| Lincoln Park | 9/10 | $1.9M |
| Evanston | 9/10 | $1.6M |
| Hyde Park | 9/10 | $1.2M |
| Streeterville | 8/10 | $2.3M |
| Orland Park | 8/10 | $1.2M |
| Beverly | 8/10 | $1.3M |
| Downers Grove | 8/10 | $1.3M |
| Arlington Heights | 8/10 | $1.4M |
| Andersonville | 8/10 | $1.5M |
| Oak Park | 8/10 | $1.5M |
| Lakeview | 8/10 | $1.7M |
| Old Town | 8/10 | $1.8M |
| Ravenswood | 8/10 | $1.4M |
| River North | 8/10 | $2.2M |
| Homer Glen | 7/10 | $1.1M |
| Tinley Park | 7/10 | $1.1M |
| Palatine | 7/10 | $1.2M |
| Westmont | 7/10 | $1.2M |
| Schaumburg | 7/10 | $1.3M |
| West Town | 7/10 | $1.4M |
| Wrigleyville | 7/10 | $1.5M |
| Wicker Park | 7/10 | $1.6M |
| Bucktown | 7/10 | $1.7M |
| Fulton Market | 7/10 | $2.1M |
| Edgewater | 7/10 | $1.3M |
| Logan Square | 7/10 | $1.4M |
| River West | 7/10 | $1.4M |
| Ukrainian Village | 7/10 | $1.5M |
| Oak Lawn | 6/10 | $949,200 |
| Bolingbrook | 6/10 | $1.0M |
| Avondale | 6/10 | $1.1M |
| Jefferson Park | 6/10 | $945,200 |
| Portage Park | 6/10 | $997,700 |
| Albany Park | 6/10 | $1.1M |
| Irving Park | 6/10 | $1.2M |
| Berwyn | 5/10 | $892,700 |
| Romeoville | 5/10 | $926,200 |
| Elgin | 5/10 | $760,200 |
| Aurora | 5/10 | $840,200 |
| Chinatown | 5/10 | $924,200 |
| Bridgeport | 5/10 | $947,200 |
| Pilsen | 5/10 | $999,700 |
| Joliet | 4/10 | $714,200 |
| Woodlawn | 4/10 | $735,200 |
| Humboldt Park | 4/10 | $756,200 |
| Cicero | 4/10 | $758,200 |
| South Shore | 4/10 | $682,700 |
Check crime data
We don’t grade neighborhoods on crime. Look up the streets you’re considering in Chicago with the agency that patrols them:
- Chicago (CPD) (open data portal: search "crime")
- FBI Crime Data Explorer (agency-level reports)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Chicago neighborhood has the best schools?
Which Chicago neighborhood has the best schools under $450,000?
Several Chicago neighborhoods offer strong schools at accessible price points.
Is a 7/10 school rating good in Chicago?
Yes — a 7/10 school rating in Chicago is above average for the metro and well above the national average. The difference between a 7 and a 9 is real, but a 7 is not a bad school by any reasonable measure. Many buyers find 7-rated neighborhoods represent the best value in the market.
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