Buffalo Grove has been named the best place to live in Illinois, according to a U.S. News & World Report 2026-2027 ranking that also designated the village as the 15th best in the country.
According to a news release, the annual ranking evaluates communities based on quality of life, value, desirability, job market and overall livability.
The release emphasized Buffalo Grove’s “exceptional schools, beautiful neighborhoods, expansive parks and green spaces, outstanding libraries, vibrant business environment and commitment to innovation, sustainability and community engagement.”
Village President Eric Smith said he “couldn’t be more excited” about the ranking, recalling a conversation he had with a journalist when he first became mayor.
“What are your goals?” Smith recalled the reporter asking. “When people think of Buffalo Grove, I want them to want to come here. I want this to be the best place.”
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The ranking is proof that “Buffalo Grove is the best place to live in Illinois,” Smith said, praising the village’s “years of intentional investment that have created such an outstanding quality of life and strong sense of community.”
The release praised Buffalo Grove for its “top-ranked schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, community amenities and high quality of life,” as well as its park districts, libraries, trail systems, recreational opportunities and open space.
Smith originally moved to Buffalo Grove in 1988, setting up his chiropractic practice and joining the local chamber of commerce. He successfully ran for village president in 2023. He said Buffalo Grove has seen significant redevelopment efforts in recent years.
The former Town Center shopping mall — now known as The Clove — is getting a new grocer, restaurants and hundreds of new housing units.
Bison Crossing, formerly an abandoned auto dealership, is now a commercial and residential development anchored by a Tesla sales and service center, also with hundreds of housing units.
And Chase Plaza, another struggling shopping center, will be getting a new grocery store and a multi-million dollar makeover as well.
“Those three key sites just changed everything,” Smith said. “We’re firing on all cylinders.”
The ranking means a boost for the community’s reputation, he said, as developers will be able to use it to attract businesses. The last decade has been a “slow, steady upward arc” for Buffalo Grove, and now the village has become a “rocket ship” in recent years, he added.
“I know it’s a great place to live, but now everybody else in the country knows,” Smith said. “It solidifies what we’re doing. We’re on the right track.”
He praised the village’s schools, safety and parks, noting their importance to residents. The pandemic saw many people moving away from the city, and Buffalo Grove’s schools helped attract them to the village, Smith said.
Beyond the redevelopment efforts, the release noted the village’s investments in infrastructure modernization, transparency and technology programs, as well as its long-term vision with its new comprehensive plan and 2024-2028 strategic plan to help “position Buffalo Grove for continued success for generations to come.”