Trying to decide between Westmont and Downers Grove for your next move? It is a common question, especially if you want the right balance of home price, commute convenience, and everyday amenities. The good news is that both communities offer strong appeal in DuPage County, but they serve different priorities. If you compare them through the lens of housing, transit, parks, and lifestyle, your decision becomes much clearer. Let’s dive in.
Westmont vs. Downers Grove at a Glance
Westmont and Downers Grove are both located in DuPage County along Metra’s BNSF corridor, but they differ quite a bit in size. According to CMAP community data for Westmont, Westmont had 24,201 residents in 2023, while CMAP data for Downers Grove shows Downers Grove at 49,867 residents.
That larger size shapes the day-to-day experience. Downers Grove supports more park acreage, more rail station options, and a broader downtown environment. Westmont, by comparison, feels smaller and more compact, which may appeal to you if you want a simpler footprint.
Compare Home Prices and Housing Mix
If price is one of your top filters, the difference stands out right away. Current Zillow home value data for Westmont shows an average home value of $393,131 and a median list price of $389,983 as of February 28, 2026. In Downers Grove Zillow data, the average home value is $482,252 and the median list price is $446,133.
In practical terms, Downers Grove sits higher on both measures. That makes Westmont a strong option if you want a lower typical price point while staying in the western suburbs.
Westmont housing options
Westmont has a more mixed housing profile. CMAP reports that 41.0% of housing units are detached single-family homes, 9.6% are attached single-family homes, and 17.8% are in buildings with 20 or more units. It also reports that 21.1% of units are 0 to 1 bedroom homes, with a median of 5.0 rooms.
That variety can give you more flexibility. If you are looking at smaller homes, attached options, or multifamily-style living, Westmont may offer more choices that fit your goals.
Downers Grove housing options
Downers Grove leans more heavily toward detached homes. CMAP shows 63.1% of units are detached single-family homes, 6.3% are attached single-family homes, and 16.6% are in buildings with 20 or more units. The data also shows 25.0% of homes have four bedrooms, with a median of 6.5 rooms.
If you want a larger detached home, Downers Grove may line up better with your search. The housing stock trends toward more space and a more traditional single-family profile.
Housing age is similar
The median year built is close in both communities: 1976 in Westmont and 1974 in Downers Grove, based on CMAP data. That means the bigger difference is not age, but size and housing mix.
If you are choosing between the two, it helps to focus less on the era of construction and more on the type of home you want to live in every day.
Commute and Metra Access
For many buyers, rail access can make or break a neighborhood choice. Both communities are on the BNSF line, but Downers Grove offers more station options.
Westmont’s Metra station information lists the station at 18 West Quincy in fare zone 3, with 512 parking spaces and Pace Route 715 service. CMAP reports a 25.4-minute mean commute time for Westmont, with 4.3% of workers using transit and 19.6% working from home.
Downers Grove has three BNSF stations: Fairview Avenue, Main Street, and Belmont. According to a Downers Grove planning document, those stations have 281, 875, and 880 parking spaces respectively. CMAP reports a 27.8-minute mean commute time for Downers Grove, with 7.8% of workers using transit and 23.2% working from home.
Which commute setup fits you?
If you want more flexibility in how you access the train, Downers Grove has the edge. Three stations can give you more options based on where you live, where you park, or how you structure your daily routine.
If you prefer a smaller-town setup, Westmont still offers solid rail access. Its slightly shorter mean commute time and simpler station footprint may feel easier to navigate.
Parks and Outdoor Space
Parks often shape how a place feels once you actually live there. They affect your weekends, your routines, and the way you use your neighborhood.
Westmont Park District says it maintains more than 150 acres and over 20 parks and open play spaces. That gives Westmont a meaningful local park presence, especially for a smaller community.
Downers Grove Park District’s current master plan reports 595.7 acres of public open space, including 12 mini parks, 27 neighborhood parks, and 6 community parks. That is a much broader system in both acreage and number of park types.
Park system takeaway
If access to a larger network of open space matters most to you, Downers Grove offers more scale. If you want parks that feel accessible within a smaller community footprint, Westmont still brings a solid option.
Downtown Feel and Everyday Amenities
The downtown experience is one of the clearest differences between these two communities. If you care about where you grab coffee, meet friends, attend seasonal events, or hop on the train, this part matters.
Westmont’s official community pages describe downtown Westmont as the village’s cornerstone, with the Central Business District running along Cass Avenue from Naperville Road to Dallas Street. The village also notes more than 100 restaurants and recurring events such as Taste of Westmont, Cruisin’ Nights & Street Fair, Wicked West Fest, and Holly Days.
Downers Grove offers a broader downtown environment. Downtown Downers Grove Management Corp. describes it as a diverse retail, shopping, and service district with award-winning restaurants, unique boutiques, a theatre, and other amenities.
How the downtowns differ
Westmont offers an active downtown in a compact setting. It may feel easier to get to know and easier to navigate if you prefer a smaller-scale environment.
Downers Grove has a larger and more established downtown identity. If you want more depth in dining, shopping, and rail-adjacent activity, it may be the stronger fit.
How to Choose Based on Your Priorities
The best neighborhood for you depends on what matters most in your everyday life. A smart decision usually comes down to tradeoffs, not a universal winner.
Choose Westmont if you want
- A lower typical home value
- A more mixed range of housing options
- A smaller, more compact community feel
- Solid Metra access in a simpler setup
- A downtown that feels active without feeling large
Choose Downers Grove if you want
- More detached-home inventory
- Larger homes on average
- Three Metra station options
- A broader park system
- A larger downtown with more retail and dining variety
A Smart Way to Narrow Your Search
If you are still deciding, start with three practical questions:
- What home type fits your life best? If you want flexibility in size and style, Westmont may open more options. If you want a larger detached home, Downers Grove may be the better match.
- How important is train access? Both towns offer BNSF access, but Downers Grove gives you more station choices.
- What kind of daily environment do you want? Westmont offers a smaller footprint, while Downers Grove offers more scale across parks and downtown amenities.
When you compare neighborhoods this way, your decision becomes less overwhelming. You can focus on the lifestyle you want, not just the map.
If you are weighing Westmont against Downers Grove and want local guidance grounded in real market data, The Tully Team can help you sort through the options with a clear plan.
FAQs
Is Westmont more affordable than Downers Grove?
- Yes. Current Zillow data in the research report shows Westmont has a lower average home value and lower median list price than Downers Grove.
Does Downers Grove have better Metra access than Westmont?
- Downers Grove offers more station choice because it has three BNSF stations, while Westmont has one station with Pace Route 715 service and 512 parking spaces.
Are homes in Downers Grove generally larger than homes in Westmont?
- Yes. CMAP data shows Downers Grove has more detached single-family homes, more four-bedroom homes, and a higher median number of rooms than Westmont.
Does Westmont still offer a strong downtown experience?
- Yes. Westmont’s downtown includes a central business district, more than 100 restaurants, and recurring community events listed by local sources in the research report.
Which community has more park space, Westmont or Downers Grove?
- Downers Grove has the larger park system, with 595.7 acres of public open space reported in its park district master plan compared with more than 150 acres maintained by Westmont Park District.
