Hackensack, NJ vs Melrose Park, 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.
Hackensack
70.1
#1135 nationally
Melrose Park
73.7
#688 nationally
Melrose Park leads in cost of living index (102 vs 126). Hackensack leads in median household income ($79,133 vs $64,400). Hackensack leads in crime level (6.8 vs 8.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hackensack, NJ | Melrose Park, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1135) | 73.7 (#688) |
| Population | 45,736 | 23,666 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $473,422 | $326,590 |
| Median Household Income | $79,133 | $64,400 |
| Average Commute | 29.1 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 6.8 | 8.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.4 | D+42.0 |
C-
70.1 Score
Hackensack, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$473,422
Population
45,736
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
73
Northeast
View Hackensack, NJ →
C
73.7 Score
Melrose Park, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$326,590
Population
23,666
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Midwest
View Melrose Park, IL →
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