Palatine, 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.
Palatine
74.6
#575 nationally
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Palatine leads in crime level (1.8 vs 6.9). Palatine leads in cost of living index (115 vs 164). Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palatine, IL | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.6 (#575) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 64,869 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $396,744 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $93,383 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 28.7 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 1.8 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+39.5 |
C
74.6 Score
Palatine, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$396,744
Population
64,869
Crime
Low
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Palatine, 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 →
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