Melrose, MA vs Rolling Meadows, 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.
Melrose
67.3
#1438 nationally
Rolling Meadows
77.3
#260 nationally
Rolling Meadows leads in cost of living index (111 vs 167). Melrose leads in walk score (62 vs 42). Rolling Meadows leads in average commute (26.6 min vs 37.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Melrose, MA | Rolling Meadows, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.3 (#1438) | 77.3 (#260) |
| Population | 29,357 | 23,329 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $930,823 | $342,521 |
| Median Household Income | $126,305 | $91,287 |
| Average Commute | 37.1 min | 26.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 167 | 111 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.5 | D+42.0 |
D+
67.3 Score
Melrose, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$930,823
Population
29,357
Crime
Low
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Melrose, MA →
C+
77.3 Score
Rolling Meadows, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$342,521
Population
23,329
Crime
Low
Walk Score
42
Midwest
View Rolling Meadows, IL →
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