Austin, TX 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.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
West Chicago
72.9
#817 nationally
West Chicago leads in cost of living index (110 vs 129). Austin leads in walk score (42 vs 38). Austin leads in average commute (26.8 min vs 27.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 72.9 (#817) |
| Population | 967,862 | 25,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $395,522 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $92,335 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 5.0 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 110 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+13.3 |
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-
72.9 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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