Waltham, MA vs West Chicago, 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.
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
West Chicago
72.9
#817 nationally
Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 38). West Chicago leads in cost of living index (110 vs 164). West Chicago leads in crime level (5.0 vs 6.9).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Waltham, MA | West Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1517) | 72.9 (#817) |
| Population | 64,477 | 25,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $831,292 | $395,522 |
| Median Household Income | $113,443 | $92,335 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 5.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 164 | 110 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+13.3 |
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 →
C-
72.9 Score
West Chicago, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$395,522
Population
25,116
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View West Chicago, IL →
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