How Walkable is Buffalo Grove, IL?

Straddling the Lake-Cook county line, Buffalo Grove near Chicago, IL registers a Walk Score of 40. That puts it squarely in car-dependent territory despite having a walkable cluster near the Prairie View Metra station. The village is one of the northwest suburbs' larger residential communities.

Walkability in the Chicago area

Buffalo Grove's 40 falls below the metro average of 77. It sits in a tight cluster with Glenview (39), Highland Park (42), and Mundelein (38), all within a few points of each other. Arlington Heights (48) offers noticeably more walkability 10 miles to the south.

Metra's Milwaukee District North line has a station at Prairie View, connecting Buffalo Grove commuters to downtown. Pace bus routes serve the village but run infrequently. Milwaukee Avenue provides the main commercial corridor, though it's designed for car traffic rather than pedestrians.

What a Walk Score of 40 means

Buffalo Grove's Walk Score of 40 means most errands require a car. Some residents near the Metra station or Dundee Road commercial area can walk to limited retail, but the majority of daily needs involve driving. Transit service is minimal beyond Metra commuter hours. The bike score of 52 (Bikeable) reflects the village's path network connecting parks.

Why do buyers choose Buffalo Grove?

Buffalo Grove offers a north suburban location at a mid-range price of $422,289. That's well below neighboring Glenview ($844,577) and Highland Park ($924,537), at a similar Walk Score. About 52% of homes sell above asking, with 47 days on market. Prices dipped 8% year over year, creating relative value in a market where most suburbs saw gains.

The tradeoff is straightforward: buyers get a north suburban address with Metra access at roughly half the cost of the lakefront suburbs to the east. What they give up is both walkability and the prestige premium. For the same price, a buyer could choose Schaumburg ($344,827) with a Walk Score of 43, gaining a few walkability points, or stretch to Arlington Heights ($495,752) for significantly more pedestrian access.

Limited to neighborhoods with at least 10 home sales in the period.

All data comes from Redfin and represents a three-month rolling average ending July 2026. This article has been generated, in whole or in part, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, with input from Redfin head of economics research Chen Zhao. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information, you should independently verify all data, facts, and citations contained in this article before relying on it for any purpose. This information is not a substitute for advice from a real estate agent, financial advisor, or other licensed professional. Check the Redfin Data Center for additional in-depth housing market data.