Oswego, IL vs Watertown, SD
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.
Oswego
75.2
#488 nationally
Watertown
74.5
#590 nationally
Oswego leads in crime level (0.9 vs 8.3). Watertown leads in average commute (13.6 min vs 31.1 min). Oswego leads in median household income ($112,109 vs $61,320).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oswego, IL | Watertown, SD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.2 (#488) | 74.5 (#590) |
| Population | 37,074 | 23,230 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $426,221 | $316,022 |
| Median Household Income | $112,109 | $61,320 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 13.6 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 0.9 | 8.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.5 | R+40.8 |
C
75.2 Score
Oswego, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$426,221
Population
37,074
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
24
Midwest
View Oswego, IL →
C
74.5 Score
Watertown, SD
Small South Dakota city with local appeal
Median Home
$316,022
Population
23,230
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View Watertown, SD →