Darien, IL vs Newton, 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.
Darien
75.1
#500 nationally
Newton
69.4
#1220 nationally
Darien leads in cost of living index (122 vs 207). Newton leads in walk score (57 vs 35). Newton leads in median household income ($176,373 vs $110,546).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Darien, IL | Newton, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.1 (#500) | 69.4 (#1220) |
| Population | 21,698 | 88,415 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $463,450 | $1,540,226 |
| Median Household Income | $110,546 | $176,373 |
| Average Commute | 29.7 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 207 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+39.5 |
C
75.1 Score
Darien, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$463,450
Population
21,698
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Darien, IL →
D+
69.4 Score
Newton, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,540,226
Population
88,415
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Newton, MA →