Chicago/Compare
Near North Side vs Near South Side
Near North Side and Near South Side are official community areas in Chicago. Near South Side leads safety (68 vs 21). Near North Side leads walk. Near North Side has the lower ACS median rent ($2,277).
Data vintage. ACS 2024 5-year · CPD Sep 2025 – Aug 2026 · OSM Aug 2026 · updated Sep 2026
| Axis | Near North Side | Near South Side |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 21 | 68 |
| Schools | 40 | 47 |
| Walk | 72 | 21 |
| Cost fit | 100 | 100 |
| Vibe | 70 | 26 |
| Median rent | $2,277 | $2,403 |
| Median home | $554,887 | $462,687 |
| Population | 100,633 | 30,482 |
| Commute to The Loop | 12 min | 12 min |
| Commute to North Side | 13 min | 27 min |
| Commute to West Loop | 37 min | 38 min |
Near North Side
River North restaurants, Gold Coast towers, Streeterville walks to the lake. Official name is the community area — search the nicknames.
$2,277 median rent · safety 21 · walk 72
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.