Houston, TX 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.
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in median household income ($113,523 vs $57,791). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 126). Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 40).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 40 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 1.4 |
| School Rating | 5.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | D+13.3 |
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →
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 →