East Lansing, MI 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.
East Lansing
72.8
#823 nationally
Niles
74.4
#599 nationally
Niles leads in crime level (1.5 vs 6.0). East Lansing leads in average commute (16.1 min vs 28.2 min). Niles leads in median household income ($75,783 vs $44,094).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | East Lansing, MI | Niles, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#823) | 74.4 (#599) |
| Population | 48,528 | 29,513 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $328,740 | $422,795 |
| Median Household Income | $44,094 | $75,783 |
| Average Commute | 16.1 min | 28.2 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 6.0 | 1.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.7 | D+42.0 |
C-
72.8 Score
East Lansing, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$328,740
Population
48,528
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View East Lansing, MI →
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 →