Updated November 2026 · Latest data: MRED Local Market Updates, September 2026. This report is refreshed every month.
This report gathers the latest numbers for seven North Shore towns in one place: Wilmette, Evanston, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glenview, Northbrook and Glencoe. Every figure comes from Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), so you can compare towns side by side without piecing it together from a dozen websites.
The Big Picture
Through September 2026, median prices for detached single-family homes were up from last year in all seven towns, ranging from 5.5% in Evanston to 25.5% in Kenilworth. In six of the seven, sellers received more than their original list price on average. Inventory stayed tight: Winnetka ended September with just 10 detached homes for sale, and Wilmette with 20.
North Shore Market at a Glance
Detached single-family homes, January–September 2026
Town | Median Sales Price | Change vs. 2025 | Closed Sales | % of Original List Price | Avg. Market Time | Homes for Sale (end of Sept.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilmette | $1,400,036 | +13.0% | 306 | 104.7% | 25 days | 20 |
Evanston | $850,000 | +5.5% | 339 | 103.9% | 32 days | 36 |
Winnetka | $2,092,500 | +7.3% | 186 | 103.6% | 37 days | 10 |
Kenilworth | $2,400,000 | +25.5% | 53 | 99.8% | 42 days | 5 |
Glenview | $930,500 | +7.0% | 425 | 102.0% | 33 days | 46 |
Northbrook | $900,000 | +9.1% | 324 | 101.6% | 33 days | 51 |
Glencoe | $1,927,209 | +16.8% | 124 | 104.6% | 58 days | 26 |
Wilmette Housing Market
Wilmette's median detached price reached $1,400,036 year to date, up 13.0%, on 306 closed sales (up 3.4%). Sellers received 104.7% of original list price on average, the highest of the seven towns, and homes averaged 25 days on market, the fastest. September itself was quieter, with 23 closings at a $1,145,000 median and new listings down 45.8% from a year earlier. For the full breakdown, see my monthly Wilmette Housing Market Report.
Evanston Housing Market
Evanston had the lowest detached median of the group at $850,000, up 5.5%, on 339 sales. Homes sold for 103.9% of original list price on average and spent 32 days on market. Evanston also has the largest condo and townhome market of these towns, with 509 attached sales year to date at a $336,000 median.
Winnetka Housing Market
Winnetka's year-to-date median was $2,092,500, up 7.3%, on 186 sales. Average market time dropped from 60 days last year to 37. Inventory is the story here: Winnetka ended September with 10 detached homes for sale, down from 27 a year earlier.
Kenilworth Housing Market
Kenilworth posted the biggest price gain of the group, with a year-to-date median of $2,400,000, up 25.5%. Keep the sample size in mind: that's 53 sales so far this year, so a few large sales can move the median a lot. Kenilworth was also the only town here where sellers averaged below original list price (99.8%).
Glenview Housing Market
Glenview had the most detached sales of the seven, 425 year to date (up 11.3%), at a $930,500 median, up 7.0%. Homes sold for 102.0% of original list price and averaged 33 days on market. Inventory fell to 46 detached homes at the end of September, down from 62 a year earlier.
Northbrook Housing Market
Northbrook's year-to-date median rose 9.1% to $900,000, even though closed sales were down 8.0% to 324. It ended September with the most detached inventory of the group, 51 homes. Its September median of $1,300,000 (up 52.9%) is a good example of how much a single month can swing; the year-to-date number is the better read.
Glencoe Housing Market
Glencoe's year-to-date median was $1,927,209, up 16.8%, and closed sales rose 20.4% to 124. More homes are coming to market, with new listings up 30.7% year to date. Homes here took the longest to sell, averaging 58 days, but still sold for 104.6% of original list price on average.
What This Means for Buyers
- Plan to pay at or above list for well-priced homes. In six of these seven towns, sellers received more than original list price on average this year. Base your offer on recent comparable sales, not the list price.
- Get fully pre-approved before you start touring. A full pre-approval (not just a pre-qualification) and clean, simple terms carry real weight when inventory is this tight.
- Compare towns, not just houses. The same budget goes very differently from Evanston ($850,000 median) to Kenilworth ($2.4 million). Flexibility on town can open up more options.
What This Means for Sellers
- Low inventory is working in your favor. Winnetka and Wilmette ended September with 10 and 20 detached homes for sale.
- Price it right from day one. Buyers are paying over list for well-priced homes, but they're watching comps closely. An overpriced home sits, and sitting usually costs more than starting a little lower.
- If you're selling to buy bigger, plan both sides together. Selling and buying at the same time means lining up timing, financing and contingencies before you list, especially if you're working around a school calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price on Chicago's North Shore?
It depends a lot on the town. For detached single-family homes from January through September 2026, medians ranged from $850,000 in Evanston to $2,400,000 in Kenilworth, according to MRED. Wilmette's was $1,400,036.
Which North Shore town has the fastest-selling homes?
Wilmette, where detached homes averaged 25 days on market year to date through September 2026, followed by Evanston (32 days) and Glenview and Northbrook (33 days each).
Are North Shore home prices still going up?
Year to date through September 2026, median detached prices were up in all seven towns, from 5.5% to 25.5%. Single months can swing, especially in smaller towns, so year-to-date numbers are the better guide.
Source: MRED Local Market Updates for Wilmette, Evanston, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glenview, Northbrook and Glencoe, September 2026 (data as of October 14, 2026). Figures are for detached single-family homes unless noted and do not account for seller concessions.
Thinking About a Move on the North Shore?
I work across the North Shore, and I'm walking every street in Wilmette for my video series, so I know these neighborhoods block by block. Most of my clients are selling one home and buying a bigger one at the same time, and I help them line up both sides so the timing works. Looking ahead to spring? Read my North Shore Market Recap: What Spring 2027 Could Look Like.
Which of these towns are you weighing? Call or text me at 224-260-9158, or explore Wilmette neighborhoods.
