Ruston, LA vs Zion, IL
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.
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Zion
72.6
#868 nationally
Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 29.3 min). Zion leads in median household income ($65,018 vs $32,877). Zion leads in walk score (40 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ruston, LA | Zion, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.3 (#911) | 72.6 (#868) |
| Population | 22,233 | 24,206 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,937 | $257,565 |
| Median Household Income | $32,877 | $65,018 |
| Average Commute | 13.9 min | 29.3 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | 12.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.4 | D+20.8 |
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
C-
72.6 Score
Zion, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$257,565
Population
24,206
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Zion, IL →