Photo: “Downtown Arlington Heights, Illinois” by OhanaSurf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Arlington Heights is a village of about 77,676 people (2020 census) in Cook County, about 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, with a typical home value of about $493,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, according to Zillow. It’s the 15th-largest municipality in Illinois and one of the most in-demand towns in the Northwest Suburbs.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. I help buyers and sellers across the Chicago suburbs, and here’s my honest look at living in Arlington Heights in 2026.
Where Is Arlington Heights, IL?
Arlington Heights is in Cook County.
The village started as Dunton. In 1853 William Dunton sold 16 acres to the railroad for $350, the first Dunton station opened in 1854, and the town was renamed Arlington Heights in 1874. The railroad still runs through the middle of downtown.
Arlington Heights is also known for the former Arlington Park race track, home of the Arlington Million. The Chicago Bears bought the Arlington Park property, and in September 2025 the team said its new stadium is planned for Arlington Heights. Plans like this change, so I always check the latest news with buyers looking near the site.
Arlington Heights Home Prices in 2026
| Arlington Heights, IL | Zillow Home Value Index (Sept. 30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Typical home value | $492,580 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 8.9% |
| Typical time to go pending | About 14 days |
Strong terms matter here, so start with a solid pre-approval.
A median is just the middle sale. Size, condition, lot and location can put a home well above or below it, so I always pull recent sales on your exact street before we write an offer.
Already own a home and wondering what it’s worth? Start with my free home value report. If you need to sell and buy at the same time, read should you sell before or after you buy.
Neighborhoods and Housing Types in Arlington Heights
Popular areas include Downtown, where condos sit close to the train, and Ivy Hill.
Schools in Arlington Heights
Most of the village is served by Arlington Heights School District 25 for elementary and middle school and Township High School District 214 for high school. Parts of town fall in Districts 23, 21, 59 or 15, and a few areas attend Palatine High School in District 211. With that many districts, confirming the assigned schools for an exact address is a must.
Parks and Things to Do in Arlington Heights
The Arlington Heights Park District owns about 456 acres and leases about 259 more across 58 parks, with pools, athletic fields, golf courses, a cultural arts center and more. Arlington Park itself is not part of the park district.
Annual Events in Arlington Heights
Frontier Days at Recreation Park, in the days before the Fourth of July, brings a carnival, parade, food and concerts. During the holidays, North School Park hosts a holiday display. Downtown, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre (opened 1999) has a 350-seat theater, and Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese supermarket in the Midwest, is a regional draw. Lake Arlington is a 50-acre lake inside a 93-acre park with a walking and biking path.
Local Employers and Economy
The village’s 2017 financial report listed Northwest Community Healthcare (now Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital), District 214, Clearbrook, the Lutheran Home and Paddock Publications among its largest employers.
Commuting from Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights has two stations on Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest line, Arlington Heights (downtown) and Arlington Park, with trains to Ogilvie Transportation Center. Interstate 90 runs along the south edge of the village and Route 53 along the west.
By car, OpenStreetMap routing estimates about 26 miles and 42 minutes to downtown Chicago and about 12 miles to O’Hare, without traffic. Rush hour will take longer, so test-drive your commute.
Property Taxes in Arlington Heights
Cook County assesses homes at 10% of market value, while the other collar counties assess at 33⅓%. That doesn’t mean Cook bills are lower; the final bill depends on the tax rate for your parcel and any exemptions you qualify for.
I pull the real tax bill for every home we look at. My property tax guide explains how Illinois bills are figured.
Arlington Heights vs. Nearby Towns
- Palatine: next door with a lower median price. Read Moving to Palatine, IL.
- Park Ridge: closer in on the same Metra line. See Moving to Park Ridge, IL.
- Elk Grove Village: just south, near O’Hare. Read Moving to Elk Grove Village, IL.
How to Start Your Arlington Heights Home Search
Start with a lender pre-approval so you know your budget, then tell me your must-haves: home type, number of bedrooms, lot size and commute. I’ll set up a custom search so new Arlington Heights listings reach you the day they hit the market, and we’ll tour the best ones together. If you’re a first-time buyer, look at Illinois first-time homebuyer programs before you shop, since program rules can affect your timing.
Pros and Cons of Living in Arlington Heights
Pros
- Two Metra stations and a busy downtown
- A large park district with 58 parks
- Arts, dining and Mitsuwa Marketplace
Cons
- Strong competition; many homes sell above list
- Higher median price than Palatine or Wheeling
- Uncertainty around the Arlington Park redevelopment
Who Is Arlington Heights a Good Fit For?
Arlington Heights suits buyers who want a downtown condo near the train, a single-family home with park access, or a strong resale market.
My Tips for Buying in Arlington Heights
- Get pre-approved first. Sellers want to see you’re ready. Here’s why you need a pre-approval before you buy.
- Confirm the school assignment for the exact address. District lines don’t always follow town lines.
- Look at the real tax bill, not an estimate.
- Time the commute at rush hour before you fall in love with a house.
My Tips for Selling in Arlington Heights
- Price from real sales. I pull recent Arlington Heights sales by home type, not just the town median. Start with my free home value report.
- Prep before you list. Small repairs, paint and clean photos help a home stand out.
- Know your tax and HOA details. Buyers ask, so have the latest bill and any association documents ready.
- Plan your next move first. If you’re also buying, read should you sell before or after you buy.
Why Work With Me in Arlington Heights
I hold the SRES®, CBR and CSR designations, and I have 40 Google reviews with a 5.0 rating. I work across Cook, Kane, Will, Kendall, McHenry, DuPage and DeKalb counties and more, so I can help you compare Arlington Heights with the towns around it. If you’re 55 or older, here’s how an SRES® agent helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Arlington Heights, IL?
Zillow’s Home Value Index put the typical home value at $492,580 as of Sept. 30, 2026, up 8.9% from a year earlier.
How many Metra stations does Arlington Heights have?
Two: Arlington Heights and Arlington Park, both on the Union Pacific Northwest line to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
What school districts serve Arlington Heights?
Most of the village is served by Arlington Heights School District 25 and Township High School District 214, with some areas in other districts. Check the exact address.
Are the Chicago Bears moving to Arlington Heights?
The Bears bought the Arlington Park property and said in September 2025 that their new stadium is planned for Arlington Heights. Check current news, since plans can change.
What is Frontier Days in Arlington Heights?
Frontier Days is held at Recreation Park in the days before the Fourth of July, with a carnival, parade, food and concerts.
What is Lake Arlington?
Lake Arlington is a 50-acre lake in a 93-acre park with wooded areas, wetlands and a walking and biking path.
Let’s Find Your Arlington Heights Home
Tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll send you current Arlington Heights homes that fit. Call or text me at 224-858-0022, email mybrokerdana@gmail.com, or contact me here. You can also search homes for sale.
Dana Gallagher, Broker (SRES®, CBR, CSR) | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (40 reviews)
Last updated October 2026. Market figures come from public sources and change often.