Austin, TX vs Palatine, 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
Palatine
74.6
#575 nationally
Palatine leads in cost of living index (115 vs 129). Austin leads in average commute (26.8 min vs 28.7 min). Austin leads in walk score (42 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Palatine, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 74.6 (#575) |
| Population | 967,862 | 64,869 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $396,744 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $93,383 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 28.7 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.8 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+42.0 |
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
74.6 Score
Palatine, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$396,744
Population
64,869
Crime
Low
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Palatine, IL →
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