Downers Grove, IL vs Merrillville, IN
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.
Downers Grove
73.6
#697 nationally
Merrillville
72.6
#860 nationally
Downers Grove leads in crime level (3.1 vs 7.8). Downers Grove leads in walk score (44 vs 23). Downers Grove leads in median household income ($115,461 vs $62,221).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Downers Grove, IL | Merrillville, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.6 (#697) | 72.6 (#860) |
| Population | 49,706 | 36,347 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $513,663 | $246,742 |
| Median Household Income | $115,461 | $62,221 |
| Average Commute | 28.1 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 23 |
| Crime Level | 3.1 | 7.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+5.6 |
C
73.6 Score
Downers Grove, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$513,663
Population
49,706
Crime
Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Downers Grove, IL →
C-
72.6 Score
Merrillville, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$246,742
Population
36,347
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
23
Midwest
View Merrillville, IN →
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