Chicago/Compare
Loop vs Near South Side
Loop and Near South Side are official community areas in Chicago. Near South Side leads safety (68 vs 0). Loop leads walk. Near South Side has the lower ACS median rent ($2,403).
Data vintage. ACS 2024 5-year · CPD Sep 2025 – Aug 2026 · OSM Aug 2026 · updated Sep 2026
| Axis | Loop | Near South Side |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 0 | 68 |
| Schools | 23 | 47 |
| Walk | 100 | 21 |
| Cost fit | 100 | 100 |
| Vibe | 100 | 26 |
| Median rent | $2,447 | $2,403 |
| Median home | $460,482 | $462,687 |
| Population | 42,550 | 30,482 |
| Commute to The Loop | 6 min | 12 min |
| Commute to North Side | 20 min | 27 min |
| Commute to West Loop | 37 min | 38 min |
Loop
Offices, Grant Park, and the L looping overhead. Walk scores max out; evening quiet depends on which block.
$2,447 median rent · safety 0 · walk 100
Near South Side
South Loop towers facing the museum campus. Newer, rental-heavy, and a walk to the lake that skips Mag Mile.
$2,403 median rent · safety 68 · walk 21
Scores are relative among official Chicago community areas with the same editorial weights. Read the method.