McAllen, TX vs West Chicago, 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.
McAllen
79.3
#134 nationally
West Chicago
72.9
#817 nationally
West Chicago leads in median household income ($92,335 vs $56,326). McAllen leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 27.5 min). McAllen leads in crime level (4.1 vs 5.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | McAllen, TX | West Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.3 (#134) | 72.9 (#817) |
| Population | 146,593 | 25,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $228,710 | $395,522 |
| Median Household Income | $56,326 | $92,335 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 110 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+13.3 |
C+
79.3 Score
McAllen, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$228,710
Population
146,593
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
41
Southwest
View McAllen, TX →
C-
72.9 Score
West Chicago, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$395,522
Population
25,116
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View West Chicago, IL →