Arlington Heights is one of the most established communities in Chicago's northwest suburbs — about 25 miles from downtown, with a Metra station at its center, highly rated public schools, mature neighborhoods, and a walkable downtown that genuinely feels alive. The 2025 median home price is approximately $520,000, with homes typically selling in 25–40 days.
Key Takeaways
Arlington Heights has a population of approximately 77,000 and covers about 16 square miles in Cook County
The Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line connects downtown Arlington Heights to Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center in roughly 35–45 minutes
Most students attend Arlington Heights School District 25 (elementary/middle) and Township High School District 214 (high school), both rated above Illinois state averages
The 2025 median home price is approximately $520,000, with homes typically selling in 25–40 days
Property taxes run approximately 2.0%–2.4% of market value — consistent with neighboring Cook County suburbs
Neighborhoods range from historic walkable streets near downtown to quieter residential areas with larger lots
Where Is Arlington Heights?
Arlington Heights sits in Cook County, about 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Here's how it connects to places you might already know:
Downtown Chicago (Ogilvie Transportation Center): ~25 miles
O'Hare International Airport: ~10 miles
Schaumburg / Woodfield Mall: ~9 miles
Northbrook: ~12 miles
The village is part of a broader northwest suburban corridor that includes Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, and Schaumburg. It's well-connected by both rail and highway — and that access is a big part of why it draws so many buyers year after year.
What Are the Neighborhoods Like?
Arlington Heights has real variety. Whether you want to walk to dinner and catch a train to Chicago or you want a quiet street with a big backyard, there's a neighborhood that fits.
Here are the areas buyers most often explore.
Downtown Arlington Heights
The downtown district is centered around the Metra station along Northwest Highway, with restaurants and shops along Vail Avenue and Campbell Street.
This is one of the most genuinely active suburban downtowns in the Chicago area. You can walk to dinner, see a show at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, or grab coffee before your morning train — all without getting in a car.
Restaurants right downtown include Passero, Salsa 17, Hey Nonny, La Zingara Trattoria, Scratchboard Kitchen, Peggy Kinnane's, and Mago Grill and Cantina. The seasonal Arlington Alfresco program closes Vail Avenue to cars and fills the street with outdoor dining throughout the summer.
Housing near downtown:
Condos: approximately $350,000–$800,000+
Historic single-family homes: approximately $600,000–$1.3M
Scarsdale
Scarsdale is one of the most sought-after historic neighborhoods in the village, located just south of downtown. You'll find tree-lined streets, larger lots, and homes from the early 20th century — Tudors, Colonials, Victorians, and American Four-Squares. A lot of people don't realize how distinctive this neighborhood feels until they actually walk it.
Many homes here feed into Westgate Elementary School, which carries a 9/10 GreatSchools rating.
Typical prices: $700,000–$1.5M+
Northgate
Located on the north side of the village near Palatine Road and Arlington Heights Road, Northgate developed largely in the 1960s and early 1970s. It appeals to buyers who want a quiet residential neighborhood with mature landscaping, proximity to Lake Arlington, and easy access to Route 53.
Common home styles: brick ranches, split-levels, and two-story colonials.
Typical prices: $450,000–$750,000
Pioneer Park Area
Just north of downtown near Miner Street and Rand Road, this neighborhood stays popular with buyers who want to stay close to the downtown energy without paying downtown prices. Mid-century ranches and split-levels dominate, and renovated properties here move quickly.
Typical prices: $450,000–$800,000
Ivy Hill
Located in the northwest portion of the village near Buffalo Grove Road and Palatine Road, Ivy Hill offers larger homes on quieter streets — mostly two-story colonials built in the 1970s and 1980s. It's close to Lake Arlington, one of the village's most popular outdoor spots.
Typical prices: $500,000–$850,000
What Are the Schools Like?
Schools are one of the main reasons families choose Arlington Heights. Here's how the district structure works.
Most students attend Arlington Heights School District 25 for elementary and middle school and Township High School District 214 for high school. Depending on which neighborhood you're in, you may also be in Buffalo Grove School District 21 — boundaries matter, so always confirm before you make an offer.
Arlington Heights School District 25
District 25 serves much of central Arlington Heights and consistently performs above Illinois state averages.
Highly rated elementary schools include:
Westgate Elementary: 9/10 (GreatSchools)
Dryden Elementary: 8/10
Olive-Mary Stitt Elementary: 8/10
Patton Elementary: 8/10
Middle schools include Thomas and South.
Township High School District 214
District 214 is one of the most respected high school districts in Illinois. High schools serving Arlington Heights students include:
John Hersey High School (Arlington Heights): 9/10 GreatSchools
Prospect High School (Mount Prospect): 9/10
Buffalo Grove High School: 8/10
District 214 offers more than 80 AP and honors courses, dual-credit college options, and graduation rates that consistently exceed 95%. For current school-level data, Illinois Report Card is the most reliable source.
What Does It Cost to Live Here?
Home Prices
The 2025 median home price in Arlington Heights is approximately $520,000. Homes are typically on the market for 25–40 days — updated homes and walkable downtown properties tend to move fastest.
A rough breakdown by area:
Home Type | Approximate Price Range |
|---|---|
Entry-level ranches and split-levels | $450,000–$600,000 |
Mid-tier colonials and updated homes | $600,000–$900,000 |
Historic or downtown-adjacent homes | $700,000–$1.3M+ |
New construction near downtown | $1M–$2M+ |
New construction near downtown often involves teardowns, with finished homes ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 square feet.
Property Taxes
Property taxes in Arlington Heights run approximately 2.0%–2.4% of market value — consistent with neighboring Cook County suburbs. Here's what that looks like in practice:
Home Value | Estimated Annual Taxes |
|---|---|
$400,000 | $8,000–$9,600 |
$600,000 | $12,000–$14,400 |
$800,000 | $16,000–$19,200 |
Taxes fund school districts, the park district, Village services, and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. For a full explanation of how Cook County assessments and bills work, the post on how Cook County property taxes work walks through it step by step.
How Do People Get Around?
Metra
The Arlington Heights Metra station is on the Union Pacific Northwest Line, right in the center of downtown along Northwest Highway. Typical travel time to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago: 35–45 minutes. Rush-hour trains run approximately every 30–45 minutes.
This is one of the strongest commuter profiles in the northwest suburbs — and one of the things that consistently sets Arlington Heights apart from car-dependent towns nearby.
Driving
For commuters who drive:
Downtown Chicago: 45–75 minutes depending on traffic
O'Hare Airport: 15–20 minutes
Schaumburg / Woodfield Mall: ~15 minutes
Major highways nearby include I-90 (Jane Addams Tollway), Route 53, and Rand Road (Route 12).
Walkability
Downtown Arlington Heights is genuinely walkable. Outside the downtown core, most neighborhoods are more car-dependent — though sidewalks, parks, and bike paths are widespread throughout the village.
What's There to Do?
The Arlington Heights Park District manages 58 parks covering more than 700 acres.
Lake Arlington is the centerpiece — a 50-acre lake with a 2-mile walking and biking trail, fishing, sailing, and playground areas. It's the kind of amenity that makes a real difference in day-to-day life.
Downtown programming like Arlington Alfresco, the Arlington Heights Farmers Market, and events at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre give the community an active calendar year-round.
The Arlington Heights Memorial Library is consistently one of the highest-rated public libraries in the suburbs, with extensive programming for all ages.
How Does Arlington Heights Compare to Nearby Suburbs?
If you're weighing your options across the northwest suburbs, here's the honest comparison. For a full side-by-side breakdown, the northwest suburbs neighborhood guide covers eight communities in detail.
vs. Palatine: Directly adjacent, also on the Metra UP-NW line. Palatine is slightly more affordable with its own downtown. Arlington Heights tends to have more dining variety and a more established neighborhood character.
vs. Buffalo Grove: Strong schools and a newer-development feel in parts. Less downtown density and no equivalent Metra access. If walkability and rail matter to you, Arlington Heights wins that comparison.
vs. Mount Prospect: Closer to O'Hare, also on the Metra line. Home prices are generally a bit lower. Smaller and quieter downtown.
What Arlington Heights consistently offers that few northwest suburbs can match: downtown vibrancy, direct Metra access, school quality, and neighborhood variety — all in the same community.
What's It Actually Like to Live Here?
Neighborhoods feel established. The trees are mature. The parks are genuinely active. Downtown keeps evolving — new restaurants open, seasonal events bring people out — but it doesn't feel like it's lost what made it feel like a real community in the first place.
A lot of people who move here end up staying longer than they planned. That's not an accident.
If you're seriously considering Arlington Heights, spend an afternoon walking downtown, drive through Scarsdale, and stop by Lake Arlington. That tends to answer the question faster than any guide can.
Thinking About Buying Here?
Before you get too far into your search, a few posts worth reading:
How Cook County property taxes work — so you know your real monthly cost before you fall in love with a home
What to inspect before you buy — what matters most in the northwest suburbs
IHDA down payment assistance for Illinois buyers — if you're a first-time buyer working on your down payment
Ready to Explore Arlington Heights?
If you're relocating to the northwest suburbs and want a clear picture of where to start, I'd love to help you think it through — no pressure, just a real conversation about what fits your life.
I share local insights, neighborhood tours, and relocation tips on my YouTube channel: Life in the NW Burbs.
Book a free consultation and let's figure out if Arlington Heights is the right fit.
Or reach out directly at Mari@MyRealtorMari.com or visit myrealtormari.com.
FAQs
Is Arlington Heights a good place to live for families?
Arlington Heights is consistently considered one of the most family-friendly suburbs in the northwest Chicago area. Strong public school districts, more than 58 parks managed by the Arlington Heights Park District, and the highly regarded Arlington Heights Memorial Library make it a practical and well-supported community for families at a range of life stages.
How far is Arlington Heights from Chicago and how do most people commute?
Arlington Heights is about 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Most commuters use the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line, which runs from the Arlington Heights station to Ogilvie Transportation Center in approximately 35–45 minutes. Driving typically takes 45–75 minutes depending on traffic, while O'Hare is about 15–20 minutes away.
What do homes in Arlington Heights typically cost?
As of 2025, the median home price in Arlington Heights is approximately $520,000. Entry-level ranches and split-levels start around $450,000, mid-tier homes range from $600,000–$900,000, and historic or downtown-adjacent properties can reach $1.3M or more. New construction near downtown typically runs $1M–$2M.
What are the property taxes like in Arlington Heights?
Property taxes run approximately 2.0%–2.4% of market value — consistent with neighboring Cook County suburbs. On a $600,000 home, expect roughly $12,000–$14,400 annually. Taxes fund school districts, parks, Village services, and the public library.
Is Arlington Heights walkable or do most people drive?
Downtown Arlington Heights is genuinely walkable — residents near Vail Avenue and the Metra station can reach restaurants, shops, the library, and seasonal events on foot. Outside the downtown core, most neighborhoods are more car-dependent, though sidewalks and bike paths are common throughout the village.
What makes Arlington Heights different from nearby suburbs like Palatine or Mount Prospect?
Arlington Heights stands out for its combination of a vibrant downtown restaurant and arts scene, direct Metra access, consistently high-performing schools, and long-established neighborhood character. Palatine and Mount Prospect offer similar transit access and solid schools, but Arlington Heights tends to offer more downtown activity and a wider range of housing styles at varying price points.
About the Author
Mari Van Meter is a top-producing, award-winning residential Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices American Heritage Real Estate in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. She helps buyers and homeowners throughout Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs, including Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg, and nearby communities.
Through her blog at MyRealtorMari.com and YouTube channel, youtube.com/@lifeinthenwburbs, Mari shares practical real estate guidance, local insights, and community resources to help people move with clarity and confidence.
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