Alton, IL vs Waltham, MA
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
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in crime level (6.9 vs 26.4). Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $49,439). Alton leads in cost of living index (84 vs 164).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, IL | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#275) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 25,006 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $105,039 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $49,439 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+39.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →