Columbus, OH 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.
Columbus
76.5
#341 nationally
Palatine
74.6
#575 nationally
Palatine leads in median household income ($93,383 vs $62,889). Columbus leads in average commute (23.1 min vs 28.7 min). Columbus leads in cost of living index (93 vs 115).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palatine, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 74.6 (#575) |
| Population | 913,175 | 64,869 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $396,744 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $93,383 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 28.7 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.8 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+42.0 |
C
76.5 Score
Columbus, OH
Ohio's capital city on the rise
Median Home
$248,686
Population
913,175
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Columbus, OH →
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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