Boston, MA vs Niles, 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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Niles
74.4
#599 nationally
Niles leads in cost of living index (115 vs 155). Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 65). Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $75,783).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Niles, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 74.4 (#599) |
| Population | 684,379 | 29,513 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $422,795 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $75,783 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.2 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.5 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+42.0 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
C
74.4 Score
Niles, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$422,795
Population
29,513
Crime
Low
Walk Score
65
Midwest
View Niles, IL →