Chicago/Compare
Lower West Side vs Near West Side
Lower West Side and Near West Side are official community areas in Chicago. Lower West Side leads safety (37 vs 5). Near West Side leads walk. Lower West Side has the lower ACS median rent ($1,370).
Data vintage. ACS 2024 5-year · CPD Sep 2025 – Aug 2026 · OSM Aug 2026 · updated Sep 2026
| Axis | Lower West Side | Near West Side |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 37 | 5 |
| Schools | 23 | 40 |
| Walk | 7 | 65 |
| Cost fit | 100 | 100 |
| Vibe | 4 | 55 |
| Median rent | $1,370 | $2,013 |
| Median home | $359,114 | $483,709 |
| Population | 33,446 | 68,165 |
| Commute to The Loop | 47 min | 37 min |
| Commute to North Side | 54 min | 40 min |
| Commute to West Loop | 20 min | 6 min |
Lower West Side
Pilsen murals and 18th Street. The official name is Lower West Side; everyone searches Pilsen.
$1,370 median rent · safety 37 · walk 7
Near West Side
Fulton Market restaurants, United Center nights, and new towers. Property crime follows the dinner rush.
$2,013 median rent · safety 5 · walk 65
Scores are relative among official Chicago community areas with the same editorial weights. Read the method.