Independence, KY 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.
Independence
77
#288 nationally
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in walk score (40 vs 11). Independence leads in crime level (0.7 vs 1.4). Independence leads in cost of living index (96 vs 126).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Independence, KY | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77 (#288) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 29,503 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $331,613 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $92,355 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 11 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 0.7 | 1.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.7 | D+13.3 |
C+
77 Score
Independence, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$331,613
Population
29,503
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
Southeast
View Independence, KY →
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 →
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