Waltham, MA 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.
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in crime level (1.4 vs 6.9). Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 40). Wheaton leads in cost of living index (126 vs 164).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Waltham, MA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1517) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 64,477 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $831,292 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $113,443 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 1.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 164 | 126 |
| 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
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 →