Chicago/Compare
Near West Side vs West Town
Near West Side and West Town are official community areas in Chicago. West Town leads safety (26 vs 5). Near West Side leads walk. Near West Side has the lower ACS median rent ($2,013).
Data vintage. ACS 2024 5-year · CPD Sep 2025 – Aug 2026 · OSM Aug 2026 · updated Sep 2026
| Axis | Near West Side | West Town |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 5 | 26 |
| Schools | 40 | 53 |
| Walk | 65 | 29 |
| Cost fit | 100 | 100 |
| Vibe | 55 | 20 |
| Median rent | $2,013 | $2,055 |
| Median home | $483,709 | $612,626 |
| Population | 68,165 | 83,491 |
| Commute to The Loop | 37 min | 28 min |
| Commute to North Side | 40 min | 26 min |
| Commute to West Loop | 6 min | 19 min |
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
West Town
Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village live inside this community area. Division Street energy, brick two-flats behind it.
$2,055 median rent · safety 26 · walk 29
Scores are relative among official Chicago community areas with the same editorial weights. Read the method.