Both towns sit in DuPage County, both have Metra stations, and both will cost you more than you want to think about. But if you're moving with kids and trying to figure out which one actually fits your family — not just which one looks good on a Redfin listing — here's what matters.

This is the section everyone skips to, so let's get into it.

Elmhurst runs on District 205, which covers PK through 12th grade and holds a Niche A+ rating. The district's flagship is York Community High School, known for strong AP offerings, extensive extracurriculars, and consistently rising proficiency scores. District 205 reported its highest Math and ELA proficiency levels since the IAR was introduced in 2018, per the most recent Illinois State Report Card.

Downers Grove splits its schools across two districts:

Both towns deliver excellent public education. Elmhurst wins on unified district simplicity. Downers Grove's split-district setup means your elementary feeder school matters more — do your homework on attendance boundaries. If you're weighing options beyond these two, we ranked the best public school districts across DuPage.

Let's talk numbers, because vibes don't pay mortgages.

The takeaway: Elmhurst costs more upfront, especially for 4-bedroom family homes. Downers Grove offers slightly more house for the dollar, but both markets are competitive and inventory is tight. Neither town is a bargain — this is DuPage County, after all. For broader context, here's what home prices across DuPage County look like right now.

Both towns are Metra towns, which is non-negotiable if one parent works downtown.

Both towns also have decent proximity to I-88, I-294, and I-355, so if you're driving to an office park in Naperville or Oak Brook, you're covered either way. Neither town will save you from the Eisenhower. Nothing will save you from the Eisenhower.

Here's where the personality differences start to show.

Elmhurst has a tighter, more walkable downtown core — it regularly shows up on lists of the most walkable suburban downtowns in the metro. The New York Post went so far as to call it "America's hottest suburb" in 2025, citing its draw for young families and professionals. The Elmhurst Park District runs extensive kid programming, and there's a steady calendar of community events — farmers markets, outdoor concerts, holiday stuff. It's the kind of place where you'll run into your kid's teacher at the coffee shop and have to pretend you're fine with that.

Downers Grove has a larger footprint and a thriving downtown of its own — solid restaurants, local shops, and a heritage village vibe. The park district is equally strong, and the town is known for hosting community events throughout the year. If your family leans more toward space, bike paths, and a slightly less "we're all in this together" energy, Downers Grove gives you more room to breathe.

Both towns are safe, community-driven, and packed with families. You will attend block parties. You will know your neighbors' landscaping opinions. This is the deal.

There's no wrong answer here — but there is a different answer depending on what you prioritize.

Both towns are excellent places to raise a family in the western suburbs. The real question isn't which town is better — it's which one matches how your family actually lives. Visit both on a Saturday morning. Walk the downtowns. Check the Metra schedule. Then decide.

You'll probably complain about property taxes either way — worth checking which suburbs actually have the lowest rates before you sign. Welcome to DuPage County.

This is the section everyone skips to, so let's get into it. Elmhurst runs on District 205, which covers PK through 12th grade and holds a Niche A+ rating. The district's flagship is York Community High School, known for strong AP offerings, extensive extracurriculars, and consistently rising proficiency scores. District 205 reported its highest Math and ELA proficiency levels since the IAR was introduced in 2018, per the most recent Illinois State Report Card. Downers Grove splits its schools across two districts:

Both towns deliver excellent public education. Elmhurst wins on unified district simplicity. Downers Grove's split-district setup means your elementary feeder school matters more — do your homework on attendance boundaries. If you're weighing options beyond these two, we ranked the best public school districts across DuPage.

Let's talk numbers, because vibes don't pay mortgages.

The takeaway: Elmhurst costs more upfront, especially for 4-bedroom family homes. Downers Grove offers slightly more house for the dollar, but both markets are competitive and inventory is tight. Neither town is a bargain — this is DuPage County, after all. For broader context, here's what home prices across DuPage County look like right now.

Both towns are Metra towns, which is non-negotiable if one parent works downtown.

Both towns also have decent proximity to I-88, I-294, and I-355, so if you're driving to an office park in Naperville or Oak Brook, you're covered either way. Neither town will save you from the Eisenhower. Nothing will save you from the Eisenhower.

Here's where the personality differences start to show. Elmhurst has a tighter, more walkable downtown core — it regularly shows up on lists of the most walkable suburban downtowns in the metro. The New York Post went so far as to call it "America's hottest suburb" in 2025, citing its draw for young families and professionals. The Elmhurst Park District runs extensive kid programming, and there's a steady calendar of community events — farmers markets, outdoor concerts, holiday stuff. It's the kind of place where you'll run into your kid's teacher at the coffee shop and have to pretend you're fine with that. Downers Grove has a larger footprint and a thriving downtown of its own — solid restaurants, local shops, and a heritage village vibe. The park district is equally strong, and the town is known for hosting community events throughout the year. If your family leans more toward space, bike paths, and a slightly less "we're all in this together" energy, Downers Grove gives you more room to breathe. Both towns are safe, community-driven, and packed with families. You will attend block parties. You will know your neighbors' landscaping opinions. This is the deal.

There's no wrong answer here — but there is a different answer depending on what you prioritize.

Both towns are excellent places to raise a family in the western suburbs. The real question isn't which town is better — it's which one matches how your family actually lives. Visit both on a Saturday morning. Walk the downtowns. Check the Metra schedule. Then decide. You'll probably complain about property taxes either way — worth checking which suburbs actually have the lowest rates before you sign. Welcome to DuPage County.