Boston, 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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 40). Wheaton leads in median household income ($113,523 vs $81,744). Wheaton leads in cost of living index (126 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 684,379 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 40 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+13.3 |
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
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 →