Located 15 miles west of the Chicago Loop, Oak Brook is home to more than 8,000 residents and serves as headquarters for a number of large corporations. Largely residential, the town features 269 acres of open space as well as plenty of outdoor recreation—polo fields, golf courses, and swimming and tennis facilities are scattered across the 8.3 square mile territory. Retail centers and restaurants are popular here too. With over 50 different restaurants to choose from, Oak Brook is considered a dining destination for Chicagoland residents.
1. What to Expect
Suburban subdivisions with plenty of privacy.
2. The Lifestyle
Social with plenty of dining and retail options to choose from.
3. What Not to Expect
The commotion of the city.
4. The Market
Single-family homes dominate, but townhouses are also popular.
5. You'll Fall in Love With
The strong, family-friendly environment.
Commute Times
Oak Brook, from Native American settlement to corporate cluster.
Settled by the Native American Potawatomi tribe in the late 1600s, Oak Brook and all of its rich soil and abundant land began attracting families from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky over 200 years later. Homes began cropping up on parcels of farmland in the early 1900s, and by the mid-1930s, homeowners and farmers formed the Community Club, which helped Oak Brook establish its identity. Some nationally-renowned golf and polo clubs were built here in the late 1950s, and Marshall Field & Company purchased land for a proposed shopping center soon after. Today, the village is home to the headquarters of many large corporations, including McDonald’s, Ace Hardware, and TreeHouse Foods.
Suburban subdivisions with plenty of privacy.
Many young professionals live in Oak Brook because of its close proximity to the city and the privacy this enclave affords. Several suburban subdivisions may make the village seem disconnected, but they offer a range of amenities for those who live within them.
Social with plenty of dining and retail options to choose from.
Oak Brook has an unmatched variety of dining and retail options. With over 50 restaurants to choose from, the village consistently draws residents from other neighboring communities with its eclectic fare. Gibson’s Steakhouse, a flashy, upscale steak and seafood restaurant with a massive wine list and clubby decor, is a local favorite. Shopping is also an important way of life here. At the Oakbrook Center Mall, you’ll find major retailers like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
The commotion of the city.
Oak Brook is close to the city but distant enough to maintain its own quiet, suburban vibe.
Oak Brook's real estate market is one of the most diverse in the western suburbs — spanning everything from luxury high-rise condominiums to sprawling multi-million dollar estates, all within one of Illinois' most prominent corporate and retail destinations. Price acceleration of 18.4% year-over-year reflects growing demand from both corporate relocations and Chicago buyers seeking more space.
Median Sale Price
$1,124,327 (Up 18.4% year-over-year)
Brook Forest Median
$1,300,000 (Premium neighborhood)
Days on Market
57 days (Down from 70 days last year)
Property Range
$400K–$5M+ (Condos to custom estates)
Market Trend
Accelerating (Selling 13 days faster YoY)
Market Condition
Competitive (Strong demand continuing)
The strong, family-friendly environment.
A quiet respite from the city, Oak Brook offers a reasonable commute and quiet suburban lifestyle with a strong focus on family and community. Featuring an excellent school system, the area is also extremely tight-knit and regularly gathers for events. There are free concerts, outdoor movies, and other events at The Lawn at Oakbrook Center each summer and the Oakbrook Arts Festival takes place each September, showcasing the work of about 70 juried artists from across the country. At the Drury Lane Theatre, an elegant 971-seat venue, a variety of shows, local productions, and concerts take place.
Oak Brook is an excellent choice for buyers who want a prestigious address, easy access to major employment centers, and a wide range of luxury property types. Its location at the intersection of I-88 and I-294 makes it one of the most accessible communities in the western suburbs, while its low property tax rates relative to neighboring communities make it financially attractive for high-value purchases.
As of 2026, the median sale price in Oak Brook is approximately $1.12 million, up 18.4% from last year. Prices vary significantly by neighborhood and property type: condominiums can start in the $400K range, while custom estates in neighborhoods like Brook Forest regularly exceed $2–5 million.
Oak Brook's most sought-after neighborhoods include Brook Forest, known for its large wooded lots and estate-style homes, as well as Ginger Creek, York Woods, and the areas surrounding the Butler National Golf Club. Each offers a distinct character, from more traditional single-family settings to private, gated enclaves.
Oak Brook is served by Butler School District 53 for elementary students, consistently one of the top-rated elementary districts in Illinois, and by Hinsdale Township High School District 86 for high school, meaning Oak Brook students attend Hinsdale Central High School, one of the state's top-ranked public high schools.
Colleen C. Wilcox of Compass is a top luxury real estate agent serving Oak Brook and the western suburbs. With nearly 10 consecutive Chicago Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Awards, Fortune Magazine recognition for Top Client Satisfaction, and deep expertise across Oak Brook's diverse property landscape, from condominiums to custom estates, Colleen delivers the local knowledge and personal guidance this market requires.
Oak Brook's market is one of the most varied in the western suburbs, and that complexity is exactly where local expertise pays off. I know the difference between an Oak Brook property that's genuinely priced well and one that looks attractive on paper but carries hidden challenges. For sellers, I'll position your home to attract Oak Brook's sophisticated buyer pool, including corporate executives and relocation buyers who move through this market regularly. For buyers, I'll get you in front of the right properties, including those not yet on the market.
Take a look at the properties for sale in this neighborhood.