Oak Park, 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.
Oak Park
71.1
#1024 nationally
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Oak Park leads in walk score (78 vs 57). Waltham leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 33.4 min). Oak Park leads in cost of living index (127 vs 164).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oak Park, IL | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.1 (#1024) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 52,055 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $489,829 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $103,264 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 33.4 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 78 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 8.9 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 127 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+39.5 |
C-
71.1 Score
Oak Park, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$489,829
Population
52,055
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
78
Midwest
View Oak Park, 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 →