Boston, MA vs Northbrook, 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
Northbrook
77.2
#269 nationally
Northbrook leads in median household income ($150,236 vs $81,744). Northbrook leads in average commute (28.6 min vs 30.2 min). Northbrook leads in cost of living index (152 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Northbrook, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 77.2 (#269) |
| Population | 684,379 | 33,977 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $718,284 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $150,236 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.6 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 83 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 0.5 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 152 |
| 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
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C+
77.2 Score
Northbrook, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$718,284
Population
33,977
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
83
Midwest
View Northbrook, IL →