Pros and Cons of Living in Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights' core trade-off pairs a real, top-tier Metra commuter-rail anchor, strong schools, and a genuinely below-average crime profile against a real, meaningfully high property tax rate and above-average housing costs.

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Pro: a real, top-tier commuter-rail anchor and walkable downtown

Arlington Heights station ranked 5th-busiest of the Metra system's 236 non-downtown stations as of 2018, with a real 35-45 minute ride to downtown Chicago, supporting a genuinely walkable downtown.

Pro: consistently top-ranked schools and a genuinely safe community

Township High School District 214 (and District 211) are consistently top-ranked in Illinois, and Arlington Heights' crime index runs roughly 47% below the national average.

Con: a genuinely high property tax burden

Arlington Heights' effective property tax rate (2.52%-2.59%) runs meaningfully above Cook County's own 2.14% median, with real, disclosed bills ranging $7,414-$8,795 by ZIP code.

Con: above-average housing costs

Zillow's typical home value ($401,290) runs well above the Illinois statewide median, with other measures running as high as $420,000-$495,000 depending on month and source.

Key takeaways

Pro: a real, top-5-ranked (2018) Metra commuter station and genuinely walkable downtown.
Pro: consistently top-ranked schools (District 214/211) and a crime index roughly 47% below the national average.
Con: a genuinely high effective property tax rate (2.52%-2.59%), above Cook County's own median.
Con: above-average home values relative to the Illinois statewide median.

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.