Madison, WI vs Niles, 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.
Madison
73.1
#790 nationally
Niles
74.4
#599 nationally
Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 28.2 min). Niles leads in walk score (65 vs 48). Madison leads in cost of living index (109 vs 115).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, WI | Niles, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#790) | 74.4 (#599) |
| Population | 269,840 | 29,513 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,061 | $422,795 |
| Median Household Income | $76,184 | $75,783 |
| Average Commute | 20.1 min | 28.2 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 1.5 |
| School Rating | 8.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+42.0 |
C
73.1 Score
Madison, WI
Education excellence on the isthmus
Median Home
$432,061
Population
269,840
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A-
Midwest
View Madison, WI →
C
74.4 Score
Niles, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$422,795
Population
29,513
Crime
Low
Walk Score
65
Midwest
View Niles, IL →