What Is It Like to Live in Clarendon Hills, IL?
In one sentence: Clarendon Hills is a quiet, close-knit village of 8,500 residents, 18 miles west of Chicago, with a Metra BNSF commute to Union Station (≈30 min), access to Hinsdale Central High School (District 86), and a median home price of approximately $850K–$1.1M.
Community feel: Intimate, neighbourly, and unpretentious — residents describe it as the "down-to-earth" western suburb. Annual events include Daisy Days Festival, summer concerts, and Dancin' in the Streets. The downtown is centred on the Metra station with local cafes, boutiques, and restaurants within a few blocks.
Schools: Clarendon Hills feeds into Hinsdale Central High School (District 86) — one of the top-ranked public high schools in Illinois. Elementary schools are in District 181. This shared high school with Hinsdale is the primary reason buyers consider Clarendon Hills as a lower-cost entry point to the same school district.
Price advantage over Hinsdale: Median home price approximately $850K–$1.1M vs. Hinsdale's $1.5M+. For families whose primary school priority is the high school, Clarendon Hills offers 30–40% lower entry to the same District 86 access.
Researching Clarendon Hills — or Ready to Buy?
The guide below covers everything you need to know about living here. If you're ready to see what's available, Casselyn works across both Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale and can show you comparable properties in both markets side by side.
Or contact Casselyn directly for a personalised comparison of Clarendon Hills vs. Hinsdale based on your budget and school needs.
1. The Community Atmosphere
2. Housing Options in Clarendon Hills
- Median home price: ~$850K–$1.1M (2025)
- Primary housing types: Single-family homes, some townhouses and condos
- Lot sizes: Smaller than Hinsdale — contributes to neighbourhood-centric feel
- Price vs. Hinsdale: Typically 30–40% lower entry price for equivalent District 86 high school access
- Investment note: Home values have appreciated steadily — see the Clarendon Hills housing market report for current data
3. Parks and Outdoor Recreation
4. Dining and Shopping
5. Commuting and Public Transportation
- Station: Clarendon Hills Metra Station — BNSF Railway Line
- Commute to Chicago Union Station: ≈28–35 minutes (varies by train)
- vs. Hinsdale: Slightly longer than Hinsdale's express (≈22 min) — tradeoff for lower home price
- Highway access: I-294 and I-55 nearby
- Parking: Monthly permit available at station — apply through Metra
6. Schools in Clarendon Hills
- Elementary / Middle School: District 181 — same district as Hinsdale for some schools; Clarendon Hills feeder schools are rated slightly below Hinsdale's D181 schools in most rankings
- High School: Hinsdale Central (District 86) — consistently ranked among the top public high schools in Illinois. Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale residents attend the same high school.
- Key implication: For families with high-school-age children, Clarendon Hills offers effectively equivalent school quality to Hinsdale at 30–40% lower home price
- For younger children: Elementary and middle school quality is slightly below Hinsdale's — families prioritising those years may prefer Hinsdale despite the price premium
- More detail: See the Clarendon Hills school rankings guide and the Clarendon Hills vs. Hinsdale comparison
7. Real Estate Market Trends
Casselyn Tertell
Broker | The Casselyn Group | Compass Hinsdale
Casselyn Tertell works across both Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale and has guided dozens of buyers through the decision between the two communities. She can show you current inventory in both markets — side by side — and provide a frank assessment of which suburb better fits your specific timeline, budget, and school priorities.
Illinois Licensed Broker · Compass Hinsdale · [INSERT: transaction volume] in closed sales
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clarendon Hills, IL a good place to live?
Yes — Clarendon Hills is consistently regarded as one of the better western suburbs in the Chicago metro for families and commuters. It offers a Metra BNSF commute to Chicago (≈30 min), access to Hinsdale Central High School (District 86, one of Illinois' top-ranked public high schools), a close-knit village community of 8,500 residents, and a median home price of approximately $850K–$1.1M — meaningfully lower than adjacent Hinsdale ($1.5M+) for equivalent high school district access. The primary trade-offs are a slightly longer commute than Hinsdale, smaller lot sizes, and elementary schools rated slightly below Hinsdale's District 181. For a detailed side-by-side, see the Clarendon Hills vs. Hinsdale comparison.
What school district is Clarendon Hills in?
Clarendon Hills is served by two school districts. For elementary and middle school, students attend schools in District 181 — the same district that serves Hinsdale, though the specific schools feeding Clarendon Hills are generally rated slightly lower than Hinsdale's elementary schools. For high school, all Clarendon Hills students attend Hinsdale Central High School in Township High School District 86 — the same school attended by Hinsdale residents and one of the top-ranked public high schools in Illinois. This shared high school is the primary reason buyers choose Clarendon Hills as a lower-cost alternative to Hinsdale. For more detail, see the Clarendon Hills school rankings guide.
How far is Clarendon Hills from Chicago?
Clarendon Hills is approximately 18 miles west of downtown Chicago. The Metra BNSF Railway Line connects Clarendon Hills directly to Chicago Union Station — the commute takes approximately 28–35 minutes depending on the specific train. This is slightly longer than Hinsdale's express service (≈22 minutes) due to additional stops, but is widely regarded as a practical and manageable Chicago commute. By car, travel time to the Loop is typically 30–50 minutes depending on traffic on I-294 or I-55. Explore current homes for sale in Clarendon Hills.
