Naperville, IL vs Waltham, 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.
Naperville
75.7
#429 nationally
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Naperville leads in cost of living index (112 vs 164). Waltham leads in crime level (6.9 vs 9.3). Naperville leads in median household income ($150,937 vs $113,443).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.7 (#429) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 149,424 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $629,473 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $150,937 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 29.4 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 46 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 9.3 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | 9.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+39.5 |
C
75.7 Score
Naperville, IL
Where families thrive and communities flourish
Median Home
$629,473
Population
149,424
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Midwest
View Naperville, IL →
D
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →