Alton, IL vs Bowie, MD
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Alton
77.1
#275 nationally
Bowie
69.4
#1212 nationally
Bowie leads in crime level (5.3 vs 26.4). Bowie leads in median household income ($138,797 vs $49,439). Alton leads in cost of living index (84 vs 134).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, IL | Bowie, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#275) | 69.4 (#1212) |
| Population | 25,006 | 57,254 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $105,039 | $526,880 |
| Median Household Income | $49,439 | $138,797 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 36.1 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 5.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 134 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+75.2 |
C+
77.1 Score
Alton, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$105,039
Population
25,006
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Alton, IL →
D+
69.4 Score
Bowie, MD
Maryland community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$526,880
Population
57,254
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
25
Northeast
View Bowie, MD →