Boston, MA vs Hoffman Estates, IL
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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Hoffman Estates
73
#796 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 35). Hoffman Estates leads in cost of living index (116 vs 155). Hoffman Estates leads in median household income ($107,428 vs $81,744).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Hoffman Estates, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 73 (#796) |
| Population | 684,379 | 50,179 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $412,578 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $107,428 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 35 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 4.1 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+42.0 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
C
73 Score
Hoffman Estates, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$412,578
Population
50,179
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Hoffman Estates, IL →
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