Photo: “Hodges Park, Park Ridge, IL” by Nick Number, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
Park Ridge is a city of about 39,656 people (2020 census) in Cook County, just northwest of Chicago, with a typical home value of about $593,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, according to Zillow. It’s one of the closest-in suburbs I cover, with two Metra stops and quick access to O’Hare.
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 Park Ridge in 2026.
Where Is Park Ridge, IL?
Park Ridge is in Cook County.
Park Ridge sits right on Chicago’s northwest edge in Cook County, next to O’Hare. It’s an older, established suburb, and homes range from condos near the train to large single-family houses.
Park Ridge Home Prices in 2026
| Park Ridge, IL | Zillow Home Value Index (Sept. 30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Typical home value | $593,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 9.7% |
| Typical time to go pending | About 16 days |
Park Ridge has both single-family homes and condos, so your price range will shape your search a lot. If you’re shopping at the higher end, see what $750K to $1M buys in the Northwest Suburbs.
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 Park Ridge
Uptown Park Ridge is the downtown hub, with condos near the train, and the city’s Historic Preservation Commission keeps a list of historic landmarks and 100-year-old homes.
Schools in Park Ridge
Park Ridge is served by Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 for elementary and middle school and Maine Township High School District 207 for high school, which includes Maine South and Maine East. Students in northern Park Ridge can choose either Maine East or Maine South. Confirm the schools for any address with the district.
Parks and Things to Do in Park Ridge
Park Ridge has many neighborhood parks, including Hodges Park (pictured). I’ll send you parks, the library and shopping near any home you like.
Annual Events in Park Ridge
The Taste of Park Ridge fills Uptown each July; in 2026 it ran July 9 to 11 with food vendors and live music. Park Ridge’s best-known landmark is the Pickwick Theatre, an Art Deco movie palace from 1928 that’s on the National Register of Historic Places and seats up to 800 in its main auditorium. In the 1980s the Pickwick’s facade appeared in the opening credits of Siskel and Ebert’s At the Movies. The city also has the Park Ridge Public Library, and the Park Ridge Park District is one of the city’s largest employers.
Local Employers and Economy
According to the city’s 2020 financial report, the largest employers are Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Maine Township High School District 207, the Park Ridge Park District, District 64 and the City of Park Ridge.
Commuting from Park Ridge
The Park Ridge and Dee Road stations are on Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest line, with trains to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. Pace buses serve several routes, and the CTA’s Route 68 bus runs into Chicago.
By car, OpenStreetMap routing estimates about 16 miles and 27 minutes to downtown Chicago and about 9 miles to O’Hare, without traffic. Rush hour will take longer, so test-drive your commute.
Property Taxes in Park Ridge
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.
Park Ridge vs. Nearby Towns
- Arlington Heights: farther out on the same Metra line. Read Moving to Arlington Heights, IL.
- Elk Grove Village: on the other side of O’Hare. See Moving to Elk Grove Village, IL.
- Downsizing: if you’re 55+ and thinking about your next move, read my downsizing guide.
How to Start Your Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge
Pros
- Two Metra stops and a short drive to O’Hare
- Uptown dining and the historic Pickwick Theatre
- A large hospital employer in town
Cons
- The highest median price in this group
- Cook County taxes, so check the bill
- Older homes may need updates
Who Is Park Ridge a Good Fit For?
Park Ridge suits buyers who want a short commute into Chicago, an older home with character, or a condo near Uptown and the train.
My Tips for Buying in Park Ridge
- 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 Park Ridge
- Price from real sales. I pull recent Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge
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 Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge, IL?
Zillow’s Home Value Index put the typical home value at $593,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, up 9.7% from a year earlier.
How many Metra stations are in Park Ridge?
Two: Park Ridge and Dee Road, both on the Union Pacific Northwest line to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
What school districts serve Park Ridge?
Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 and Maine Township High School District 207 (Maine South and Maine East). Confirm the exact address.
Is Park Ridge a city or a village?
Park Ridge is a city in Cook County.
What is the Taste of Park Ridge?
It’s a summer festival in Uptown Park Ridge. In 2026 it ran July 9 to 11 with food vendors and live music.
What is the Pickwick Theatre?
The Pickwick is a 1928 Art Deco theater in Park Ridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Let’s Find Your Park Ridge Home
Tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll send you current Park Ridge 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.
Selling in Park Ridge before you buy? Start with what your home is worth today.
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.