Niles, IL vs Salinas, CA
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.
Niles
74.4
#599 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Niles leads in crime level (1.5 vs 14.4). Niles leads in cost of living index (115 vs 149). Niles leads in walk score (65 vs 55).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Niles, IL | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.4 (#599) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 29,513 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $422,795 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $75,783 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 1.5 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+29.9 |
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 →
D
63.5 Score
Salinas, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$753,868
Population
159,506
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Salinas, CA →