← Best suburbs near Chicago

Chicago Ridge vs Palos Heights

Two popular IL suburbs of Chicago, side by side. Here's how they compare on the metrics that matter most to families.

School rating
7/10
9/10
Commute to Chicago
55 min
64 min
Median home price
$222K
$381K
Annual property tax
$5K
$8K
Walk score
52
28
Density
suburban
suburban

Summary: Chicago Ridge leads in 4 of 6 metrics. It edges out on commute to chicago, median home price, annual property tax, walk score. The best choice depends on your family's priorities.

Character & vibe

Chicago Ridge

Small Cook County village with the Chicago Ridge Mall as its commercial anchor. Worth Township Park District provides excellent recreation. Affordable entry point to the south suburban Cook County market. Good access to I-294 and Route 45.

affordablefamilycommunity

Palos Heights

Top-ranked south suburban community bordering the Palos Forest Preserves — one of the largest forest preserve systems in the world. Palos Heights has excellent schools, 14,000 acres of forest preserve in the backyard, and a tight-knit community.

familynaturecommunity

Who should pick which?

Pick Chicago Ridge if you...

  • ·Want the shortest commute to Chicago
  • ·Need to keep your home budget in check
  • ·Value walkability and a pedestrian-friendly downtown
  • ·Want lower annual property taxes

Pick Palos Heights if you...

  • ·Prioritize top-rated schools above all else
  • ·Drawn to the family character

Still deciding?

Burbia scores both Chicago Ridge and Palos Heights — and every other town in the Chicago Area — based on your specific commute, budget, and priorities. Not a generic list.

Talk to Burbia →