Naperville, IL Neighborhoods Guide 2026 | Expert Buyer’s Guide

by Joe Graham

The Definitive Naperville, IL Neighborhoods Guide 2026: An Expert Buyer's Map for Finding the Perfect Home

Naperville, IL Neighborhoods Guide 2026

Expert Buyer’s Guide for Families, Downsizers & Relocators**

If you’re trying to figure out where in Naperville to land, you’re not alone. The city keeps showing up at the top of national rankings for safety, schools, and overall quality of life – including being named the #1 Best City to Live in America and #1 city for public schools by Niche for 2025. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Add in the fact that Naperville regularly ranks among the safest cities in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why young families are zooming in here on their home search. (The City of Naperville)

But “Move to Naperville” isn’t specific enough. You need to know:

Which neighborhoods match your budget
Where your kids will have great schools and walkable friends
How long it will take you to get to Chicago, the Metra, and the airports
Where there’s real turnover in 2025 so you actually have homes to choose from

Let’s break it down in plain English.

Naperville at a Glance: Prices, Safety, and Schools

Overall median sale price (2025): roughly $540K–$630K, depending on the source and month. (Redfin)
Average home value (Zillow Home Value Index, 2025): about $590K, up around 5% over the last year. (Zillow)
School districts:
- Naperville School District 203 (north/central side) and
- Naperville School District 204 (Indian Prairie) (south / west side)
  Both are rated A+ overall and rank among the top districts in Illinois and the U.S. for academics and college prep. (NCTV17)
Commute options:
- Two Metra BNSF stations (Naperville & Route 59), with express trains to Chicago Union Station in ~35–45 minutes. (The City of Naperville)
- Easy access to I-88, I-355, and I-55, plus proximity to O’Hare, Midway, and DuPage Airport via the DuPage County highway network. (discoverdupage.com)

Quick Neighborhood Snapshot (Prices & Who They Fit)

Recent numbers are based on late-2025 data; market conditions can shift, but this gives you realistic ballparks.

Neighborhood / Area	Recent Price Snapshot*	Schools	Commute & Lifestyle Snapshot
Downtown Naperville & Historic District	Median sale around $1.1M–$1.2M; condos/townhomes often $450K–$800K (Redfin)	Dist. 203 (Naperville Central HS)	Walkable, steps to Metra, Riverwalk, restaurants. Urban-suburban vibe.
East Highlands	12-month median sale around mid-$1.4M; recent months closer to $700K+ depending on the mix of homes sold (Homes.com)	Dist. 203	South of downtown; walkable to town and Naper Elementary; big new builds mixed with original homes.
West Highlands	Recent median sale around $700K; 12-month median in the low- to mid-$600Ks (Redfin)	Dist. 203	Larger lots, quiet streets, bikeable to downtown & Metra. Classic “Naperville neighborhood” feel.
Cress Creek	Median sale around $550K with strong 2025 turnover (21 sales in Oct alone) (Redfin)	Dist. 203	North side, golf course community, close to Cress Creek Country Club and quick drive to Metra.
Saybrook	Average home value around $620K+ (Zillow)	Dist. 203	Mature trees, pool/tennis club, short hop to downtown & North Central College. Great “bike to train” spot.
Ashbury	Median sale about $760K, up ~5% year-over-year; 9 homes sold in Oct 2025 (busy for one subdivision) (Redfin)	Dist. 204 (Neuqua Valley HS path)	Big pool & clubhouse, active social calendar, strong sense of community on the south side.
Tall Grass	Average home value around $825K (Zillow)	Dist. 204 (Neuqua Valley HS path)	Swim/tennis, clubhouse, sidewalks everywhere; strong youth sports and neighbor activity.
White Eagle / White Eagle Club	Average home value around $860K+; recent median sales in the $800K+ range with 14 homes sold in Oct 2025 (Zillow)	Dist. 204 (Waubonsie / Neuqua paths)	Gated-feel golf course community with clubhouse, pool, and private-club vibe.

*These are neighborhood-level medians/averages, not appraisals of any specific property.

1. Downtown Naperville & the Historic District

If you want to step out your front door and be on the Riverwalk, by Starbucks, or at a festival in five minutes, this is your zone.

Downtown Naperville Homes For Sale

Home Values

Recent median sale price in Downtown Naperville is around $1.17M, up sharply year-over-year, reflecting the demand for walkable, in-town living. (Redfin)
Condos and townhomes closer to the river and train often fall in the $450K–$800K band, while renovated historic homes or new construction can easily run $1M–$2M+.

Turnover downtown tends to be steady but tight – there’s only so much land this close to the Riverwalk and Metra, so competition is real.

Safety, Schools & Community

Served by Naperville 203, feeding into Naperville Central High School, one of the top high schools in Illinois. (Niche)
Naperville’s broader safety rankings (top-20 safest places to live nationally) absolutely carry through here. (The City of Naperville)
Community life is constant: parades, farmer’s markets, Ribfest, Last Fling, holiday lights – this is the “always something going on” neighborhood.

Commute

Walkable to Naperville Metra station (BNSF line) with express trains to Chicago in roughly 35–45 minutes. (The City of Naperville)
Easy access to I-88 for reverse commuters or trips to O’Hare.

Best fit: Buyers who value walkability, restaurants, and energy over yard size. Great for families with older kids, professionals commuting to the city, and relocators who want to “feel the city” right away.

2. East & West Highlands – Classic In-Town Family Neighborhoods

These two adjoining neighborhoods sit just south and west of downtown. Think mature trees, parks, and a mix of original ranches and big new builds.

East Highlands Homes For Sale

West Highlands Homes For Sale

Home Values

East Highlands
- 12-month median sale price sits around $1.4M+, reflecting the high-end new construction that’s gone in. (Homes.com)
- Recent monthly medians (depending on which homes closed) have dipped nearer $670K, but that’s more about which specific properties sold than a collapse in values. (Redfin)
West Highlands
- Recent median sale price around $699K, up over 20% year-over-year. (Redfin)
- Over the last 12 months, the subdivision’s median sale price has generally tracked in the low- to mid-$600Ks, with strong activity each year. (Homes.com)

Turnover in both Highlands areas has been solid through 2025, especially in West Highlands where new construction and renovated homes are pushing numbers up.

Safety, Schools & Community

Both neighborhoods are in District 203, with highly rated elementary and junior high options and Naperville Central HS as a major draw. (Niche)
Sidewalks, local parks, and the ability for kids to actually walk or bike to friends’ houses tick a lot of boxes for young families.
Because so many homes have been redone or rebuilt, you often see a good mix of long-time residents and newer, young families.

Commute

5–10 minute drive to the Naperville Metra station.
Easy access to Washington St., Gartner Rd., and Aurora Ave., which funnel quickly to I-88.

Best fit: Families who want an in-town feel, bigger lots than downtown, and premium 203 schools – without going all the way up into the $1.5M+ luxury golf communities (unless you’re buying one of the larger new builds).

3. Cress Creek & Saybrook – North-Side “Country Club & Pool Club” Living

On the north side, Cress Creek and Saybrook give you that established, leafy-street look with strong resale and very active 2025 turnover.

Cress Creek

Recent median sale price: about $550K; 21 homes sold in October 2025 alone, which is a big number for one neighborhood and signals real opportunity for buyers and sellers. (Redfin)
Mix of golf course views, mid-century homes, and updated/expanded properties.

Cress Creek Homes For Sale

Saybrook

Average home value: roughly $620K+, with values trending modestly higher year-over-year. (Zillow)
Known for the Saybrook Bath & Racquet Club, which functions as a social hub every summer.

Saybrook Homes For Sale

Safety, Schools & Community

Both feed into high-performing 203 schools, often a key reason buyers target these neighborhoods. (Niche)
Strong sense of neighborhood identity – swim club events, tennis, block parties, and “everyone goes to the same schools” energy.
North side of Naperville is historically very stable in terms of property values, and 2025 data so far backs that up.

Commute

Short drive or bike ride to downtown and the Metra station.
Straight shot to I-88 via Ogden or Aurora Ave.

Best fit: Families who want the club/pool experience, strong schools, and a little more space than downtown, but still want an easy Metra commute and don’t need brand-new construction.

4. Ashbury – Swim Club, Sidewalks, and Social Calendar (South Naperville)

Ashbury is essentially a swim-club neighborhood with houses built around it – exactly the kind of place where your kids will disappear all summer and only come home when they’re hungry.

Ashbury Homes For Sale

Home Values & Turnover

Median sale price: about $760K as of October 2025, up nearly 5% year-over-year. (Redfin)
Nine closings in October alone – strong turnover, especially for a single subdivision, which is great news if you want options in 2026. (Redfin)

You’ll find traditional two-stories, some larger custom homes, and a lot of buyers moving up from starter homes elsewhere in Naperville.

Safety, Schools & Community

Located in Indian Prairie 204, typically feeding into Neuqua Valley High School, one of the highest-rated high schools in the state. (Niche)
Streets are very kid-friendly: sidewalks, cul-de-sacs, and a constant stream of kids walking or biking to the pool and park in summer.
Ashbury’s HOA-run events, pool parties, and holiday activities make it easy for new families to plug into the community.

Commute

About a 10–15 minute drive to Route 59 Metra, depending on traffic.
Convenient to 95th Street, Route 59, and then up to I-88 or down to I-55.

Best fit: Young families who want built-in community, a big pool scene, and top-tier 204 schools, and who don’t mind driving to the train.

5. Tall Grass – South Naperville Clubhouse Living

Tall Grass is another south-side favorite for families who want swim/tennis amenities plus newer-construction homes.

Tall Grass Homes For Sale

Home Values

Average home value: around $825K, with modest appreciation over the past year. (Zillow)
Most recent sales land roughly in the $750K–$950K band, with some larger, updated homes pushing above that.

Safety, Schools & Community

Also in District 204, typically on the Neuqua Valley path. (Niche)
Clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts act as a social magnet for families.
Neighborhood layout is very walkable, with plenty of kids biking to friends’ houses, school bus stops, and parks.

Commute

Similar to Ashbury: 10–15 minutes to Route 59 Metra, with access to 95th, Route 59, and main commuter highways.

Best fit: Move-up buyers who want bigger square footage, 204 schools, and a very active neighborhood calendar.

6. White Eagle & White Eagle Club – Golf Course Luxury

White Eagle offers a private-club feel, with golf, guarded entries at key access points, and a strong luxury home presence.

White Eagle Homes For Sale

Home Values & Turnover

Average home value: roughly $865K+. (Zillow)
Recent median sale prices in the $800K+ range, with a strong number of closings – about 14 homes sold in October 2025, one of the higher single-neighborhood turnovers in town this year. (Redfin)

You’ll see a lot of 5-bedroom, 3+ bath homes with 3-car garages, plus some custom builds that push into the seven-figure range.

Safety, Schools & Community

Serviced by District 204, generally on the Waubonsie/Neuqua paths depending on exact location. (Niche)
Gated entries, clubhouse security, and the overall Naperville safety profile make this a very low-stress neighborhood for families.
Strong golf and swim culture, junior golf programs, and neighborhood events.

Commute

Closer to Route 59 and Eola, with reasonable access to Route 59 Metra and I-88.
For airport runs, you’re well-positioned to reach O’Hare, Midway, and DuPage Airport via the county’s main highway network. (discoverdupage.com)

Best fit: Buyers who want golf-course living, a luxury feel, and 204 schools, with plenty of activities for both kids and adults.

How to Choose the Right Naperville Neighborhood as a Young Family

When I talk with relocating families or first-time Naperville buyers, we usually narrow things down with four big questions:

What’s your realistic budget?
- Under $600K: Start with portions of Cress Creek, Saybrook, and some West Highlands opportunities.
- $600K–$900K: You’re squarely in play for most of West Highlands, Ashbury, Tall Grass, and some in-town options.
- $900K+ and up: East Highlands, White Eagle, and premium Downtown/Historic District homes open up.
Which school district and high school path do you prefer – 203 or 204?
You really can’t go wrong academically; both rank among the top in the state. But families often have a personal preference for Naperville Central vs. Neuqua vs. Waubonsie, sports programs, or specific elementary schools. (NCTV17)
How do you commute?
- Need to walk to the Naperville Metra? Think Downtown, Historic District, East Highlands, parts of West Highlands, Cress Creek, Saybrook.
- Okay with a 10–15 minute drive to Route 59 Metra? Ashbury, Tall Grass, White Eagle, and the broader south Naperville corridor work well.
What kind of day-to-day life do you picture?
- Walk to dinner, festivals, and the Riverwalk: Downtown & Historic District.
- Kids riding bikes to the pool and neighbors’ houses: Ashbury, Tall Grass, Saybrook, Cress Creek.
- Golf, country club, and a more private feel: Cress Creek Country Club and White Eagle.
- Quiet streets, big yards, and in-town convenience: East & West Highlands.

Final Thoughts

Naperville isn’t just “a good suburb.” In 2025 it’s sitting at the very top of national lists for best city to live, raise a family, and buy a home – largely because of its schools, safety, parks, and community involvement. (Naperville.com)

The real question isn’t “Should we move to Naperville?”
It’s “Which Naperville neighborhood fits the way we actually live?”

If you want energy, restaurants, and a walkable lifestyle, look hard at Downtown & the Historic District.
If you want in-town living with yards and top 203 schools, explore East and West Highlands, Cress Creek, and Saybrook.
If your priority is clubhouse life, pools, and 204 schools, focus on Ashbury, Tall Grass, and White Eagle.

Once you’ve narrowed your list to 2–3 neighborhoods, the next step is to look at specific streets, school boundaries, and recent sales so you’re buying with both head and heart aligned.

If you’d like help dialing in your short list or want a neighborhood-by-neighborhood price breakdown for your exact budget, that’s the kind of deep dive an experienced local agent can walk you through in one conversation.