Santa Monica, CA vs Wheaton, 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.
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in crime level (1.4 vs 21.3). Wheaton leads in cost of living index (126 vs 273). Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 40).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Santa Monica, CA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1949) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 89,922 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,685,560 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $106,797 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 25.3 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 21.3 | 1.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 273 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+13.3 |
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
C
75.2 Score
Wheaton, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$518,505
Population
52,938
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Wheaton, IL →
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