Normal, IL vs Papillion, NE
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.
Normal
76.8
#316 nationally
Papillion
78.6
#171 nationally
Papillion leads in crime level (0.9 vs 9.0). Papillion leads in median household income ($104,608 vs $63,965). Normal leads in average commute (17.2 min vs 22.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Normal, IL | Papillion, NE |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.8 (#316) | 78.6 (#171) |
| Population | 52,618 | 23,791 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $269,069 | $415,464 |
| Median Household Income | $63,965 | $104,608 |
| Average Commute | 17.2 min | 22.6 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 9.0 | 0.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 97 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+4.9 | R+11.7 |
C
76.8 Score
Normal, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$269,069
Population
52,618
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Normal, IL →
C+
78.6 Score
Papillion, NE
Small Nebraska city with local appeal
Median Home
$415,464
Population
23,791
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Papillion, NE →