Clarendon Hills Vs Hinsdale: Which Suburb Fits Your Life?

Trying to choose between Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale can feel like splitting hairs. Both are beloved western suburbs with tree‑lined streets, strong schools, and easy access to Chicago. But they do offer different day‑to‑day experiences. In this guide, you’ll learn how they compare on home prices and housing types, lot sizes and neighborhood feel, schools, downtown amenities, commuting, and overall costs so you can zero in on the suburb that fits your life. Let’s dive in.

Clarendon Hills vs. Hinsdale at a glance

Clarendon Hills gives you a compact, walkable village with a cozy downtown wrapped around the Metra station. Hinsdale is larger, with an architecturally significant downtown and several historic residential districts.

• Size: Clarendon Hills is about 1.8 square miles, while Hinsdale spans roughly 4.6 square miles. You feel that scale in daily routines and drive times within town. You can reference recent estimates of village size and context through sources like World Population Review for Clarendon Hills’ footprint.
• Population: Clarendon Hills has about 8,700 residents, while Hinsdale is closer to 17,400, based on recent U.S. Census estimates. You can view Clarendon Hills’ QuickFacts profile through the Census Bureau for more context.

Home prices and housing types

If you want a general price difference, this is the clearest split. Recent market snapshots place Clarendon Hills’ median sale price in the mid‑$500,000s to mid‑$600,000s depending on the metric used. Hinsdale typically tracks closer to the high‑$900,000s to about $1.2 million for central medians. Exact figures shift month to month, but the gap is consistent.

• Clarendon Hills: You’ll see many mid‑century homes like ranches, colonials, and bungalows on smaller lots, plus tasteful infill and some newer builds. The market is competitive but offers a wider path into this corridor at lower price points than Hinsdale.
• Hinsdale: Expect a broader spread, from some condo and townhome options to a large selection of single‑family homes, including historic properties and custom new construction. Certain neighborhoods, including those with historic designations, often carry premium pricing.

Lot sizes and neighborhood feel

Lot size is another key difference. Clarendon Hills tends to have smaller, more compact yards that support a close‑in, walkable village feel. Hinsdale adds more opportunities for larger lots and estate‑style parcels, particularly in established neighborhoods and historic areas.

• Clarendon Hills: Smaller parcels reflect an inner‑ring village pattern that supports quick walks to parks, schools, and the train.
• Hinsdale: Many premium areas feature lots in the 0.3 to 0.7 acre range, with some larger. Historic districts contribute to a varied but often grand residential streetscape.

Downtowns and amenities

Clarendon Hills’ downtown centers on the Metra station with local coffee shops, restaurants, and services. Village communications outline ongoing improvements and seasonal events that reinforce its small‑town character. You can browse the village page to see highlights of the downtown plan and local happenings at the municipal level at Clarendon Hills’ official site.

Hinsdale’s downtown is larger and historically curated, with specialty boutiques, full‑service dining, and frequent community events such as the Farmers Market, Wine Walk, Fine Arts Festival, and Christmas Walk. The Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce offers an events overview that captures the area’s active calendar.

Parks and recreation are robust in both towns. Clarendon Hills Park District maintains neighborhood parks, a community pool, and year‑round programs that are great for families with younger children. Hinsdale features larger anchor parks like Katherine Legge Memorial Park and an extensive recreation lineup.

• Explore Clarendon Hills’ parks and programming through the Clarendon Hills Park District.
• Review Hinsdale’s event programming through the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce.

Schools and boundaries

Both suburbs are served primarily by Community Consolidated School District 181 for elementary and middle grades and Hinsdale Township High School District 86 for high school.

• Elementary and middle: D181 includes schools such as Prospect, Walker, Clarendon Hills Middle, Hinsdale Middle, Oak, Madison, Monroe, and The Lane. The district shares updates and recognitions on its site.
• High school: District 86 serves the area through Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, with comprehensive programming and strong state indicators.

Because school boundaries can influence value and day‑to‑day routines, verify each address carefully:

• Confirm attendance with District 181’s boundary resources.
• Check the assigned high school with District 86’s boundary tools.
• Plan a visit to your assigned schools and ask about class sizes, programs, and any transfer policies.

You can find district information and maps at the District 181 website and the District 86 website.

Commute and transit

Both towns sit on Metra’s BNSF Railway line to Chicago’s Union Station. The Clarendon Hills station is roughly 18.3 rail miles from Union Station, while Hinsdale’s is about 16.9 miles. Express trains can shorten ride times, particularly during peak hours. You can learn more about the Clarendon Hills station and the BNSF line on the station’s reference page.

Sample door‑to‑desk planning often looks like this:

• Clarendon Hills: 5 to 10 minute walk or bike to the station, an express train in the low‑20‑minute range at peak, and a short city walk or bus from Union Station.
• Hinsdale: A similar station walk, with slightly shorter rail distance. Express options can reduce train time on peak schedules.

Always test your commute at the exact hours you plan to travel, since timetables and traffic patterns change.

Taxes and cost of ownership

Property taxes in Illinois are determined by overlapping taxing bodies. Your bill depends on the specific county, school district, and other local levies tied to your parcel. Clarendon Hills is in DuPage County. Hinsdale spans mostly DuPage County with a small portion in Cook County. That split can affect rates and exemptions by address. You can confirm Hinsdale’s county context through its general reference page.

County‑level summaries indicate that effective property tax rates vary by county and district. Use these as general context, but calculate your projected bill for each property you consider. For a helpful walkthrough of how Illinois property taxes are calculated, review the overview provided by Lewis CPA.

Other ownership costs to compare:

• Insurance premiums by home size and coverage.
• Utilities and maintenance, especially on larger lots.
• Renovation plans and timelines if you are weighing an older home versus new construction.

Who each suburb fits

Here is a practical way to think about fit based on common buyer goals.

• Choose Clarendon Hills if you want a smaller‑scale village with strong walkability, a close‑knit downtown, and generally lower entry prices into this corridor. It is a smart match for commuters who value the BNSF line and for buyers who like short in‑town trips.
• Choose Hinsdale if you are prioritizing larger lots, more historic architecture, a broader selection of luxury and custom homes, and a larger downtown with frequent events. You will typically pay a premium for those options and for certain neighborhood settings.

How to choose: quick checklist

Use this short process to narrow your list and build confidence.

1. Define your must‑haves. Rank walkability, lot size, budget, commute time, and school preferences.
2. Map the boundaries. Confirm elementary and high school assignments for each address through District 181 and District 86.
3. Stress‑test your commute. Ride the BNSF line on your likely days and times.
4. Walk the downtowns. Visit both on a weekday evening and a weekend morning to get the vibe.
5. Compare total monthly costs. Estimate principal, interest, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance side by side.
6. Tour a range of homes. In Clarendon Hills, see original mid‑century homes and newer infill. In Hinsdale, tour both historic homes and newer custom builds to feel the differences in layout and lot size.

Ready to explore with a local guide?

Choosing between two great options is about aligning the town to your daily life. If you want help weighing trade‑offs, touring on- and off‑market opportunities, and understanding how schools, commute, and lot size will shape your routine, reach out. As a design‑forward, high‑touch broker focused on Hinsdale and the western suburbs, I help you evaluate options clearly and move with confidence. Connect with Jessica Halkias to schedule a complimentary home consultation.

FAQs

What are the key differences between Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale?

• Clarendon Hills is smaller and very walkable with a cozy downtown, while Hinsdale is larger with historic districts, more retail and dining, and more options for larger lots.

How do Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale home prices compare in 2026?

• Recent snapshots show Clarendon Hills in the mid‑$500,000s to mid‑$600,000s, while Hinsdale commonly ranges from the high‑$900,000s to about $1.2 million for central medians.

Which school districts serve Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale?

• Most addresses feed into Community Consolidated School District 181 for elementary and middle school and Hinsdale Township High School District 86 for high school; confirm each address with district maps.

How long is the Metra commute from each suburb to Chicago?

• Both are on the BNSF line to Union Station; Hinsdale is about 16.9 rail miles and Clarendon Hills about 18.3, with express trains that can run in the low‑20‑minute range during peak hours.

Do property taxes differ between Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale?

• Yes, because tax bills depend on county and district levies; Clarendon Hills is in DuPage County, and Hinsdale spans mostly DuPage with a small Cook County portion, so verify each property’s parcel tax.

Where can I find local events and amenities in each town?

• Check Clarendon Hills’ village and park district sites for downtown updates and programs, and the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce for events like the Farmers Market and Fine Arts Festival.