Houston, TX vs Palatine, 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.
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Palatine
74.6
#575 nationally
Palatine leads in median household income ($93,383 vs $57,791). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 115). Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palatine, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 74.6 (#575) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 64,869 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $396,744 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $93,383 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 28.7 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 1.8 |
| School Rating | 5.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | D+42.0 |
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →
C
74.6 Score
Palatine, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$396,744
Population
64,869
Crime
Low
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Palatine, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Houston for: