Austin, TX vs Highland Park, 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.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Highland Park
72.8
#827 nationally
Highland Park leads in median household income ($159,567 vs $91,461). Austin leads in cost of living index (129 vs 146). Austin leads in average commute (26.8 min vs 28.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Highland Park, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 72.8 (#827) |
| Population | 967,862 | 30,272 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $802,430 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $159,567 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 28.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+20.8 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
C-
72.8 Score
Highland Park, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$802,430
Population
30,272
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
42
Midwest
View Highland Park, IL →
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