Pros and Cons of Living in Downers Grove

Downers Grove's honest tradeoff is a real, historic, transit-served downtown and a below-DuPage-County-average property tax rate set against home values that run meaningfully above Illinois's own statewide figures.

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Real Advantages

Downers Grove offers a real, below-DuPage-County-average property tax rate, a genuinely historic and walkable downtown (the 1928 Tivoli Theatre), three Metra BNSF stations with a fast express commute, a real healthcare/education employment anchor, a genuinely low crime rate, and above-average schools.

Real Tradeoffs

Downers Grove's typical home values ($428,241-$521,000) run meaningfully above Illinois's own statewide figures, and even the village's comparatively favorable property tax rate still sits close to Illinois's own high, nation-leading statewide average.

The Net Read

For families and commuters prioritizing a real, walkable historic downtown and a comparatively favorable DuPage County property tax position who can afford above-statewide-average home prices, Downers Grove's advantages are real. For buyers seeking Illinois's most affordable statewide housing costs, other Illinois Tier B markets in this project may fit better.

Key takeaways

Real pros: a below-DuPage-County-average property tax rate, a historic walkable downtown, and a fast Metra BNSF commute.
Real cons: home values running meaningfully above Illinois's own statewide figures.
The net read favors buyers who can afford above-average home prices in exchange for a comparatively favorable property tax position.

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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.