Neighborhood Comparison
Bucktown vs Old Town
Bucktown and Old Town are evenly matched across rent, walkability, transit, amenities and resident sentiment. The right pick comes down to which dimensions you weight most.
Bucktown
Chicago, IL
A trendy residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets, family-friendly parks, and upscale dining. Perfect for those seeking a quieter alternative to neighboring Wicker Park.
Full Bucktown guide →Old Town
Chicago, IL
A historic neighborhood known for The Second City comedy club, Victorian architecture, and vibrant Wells Street dining scene. Perfect mix of charm and entertainment.
Full Old Town guide →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Bucktown | Old Town | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $2,400 | Bucktown |
| Walkability | 8.8 / 10 | 6.1 / 10 | Bucktown |
| Transit Access | 8.6 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 | Old Town |
| Amenities | 8.2 / 10 | 9.1 / 10 | Old Town |
| Average Building Rating | 4.4 ★ | 4.5 ★ | Tie |
| Resident Sentiment | 10.97 (312 reviews) | 11.06 (287 reviews) | Tie |
Average Rent: Bucktown averages about $350 less per month — meaningful over a 12-month lease.
Walkability: Bucktown scores higher for daily-essentials walkability — groceries, coffee and dining within a short walk of most buildings.
Transit Access: Old Town has stronger transit access overall, with more frequent service and shorter walks to stops from most apartment buildings.
Amenities: Apartment buildings in Old Town tend to offer richer amenity packages — rooftops, coworking lounges and full fitness centers are more common.
Average Building Rating: Both neighborhoods average similar resident ratings across reviewed buildings.
Resident Sentiment: Resident sentiment is comparable in both neighborhoods.
Which Should You Choose?
Budget-conscious renters
Pick Bucktown
Lower average asking rent and stronger value across studio and 1-bedroom inventory.
Browse Bucktown apartments →Car-free professionals
Pick Old Town
Better transit access shortens daily commutes and reduces reliance on rideshare.
Browse Old Town apartments →Walkability-first renters
Pick Bucktown
Higher density of groceries, coffee, dining and fitness within a 10-minute walk of most buildings.
Browse Bucktown apartments →Luxury & amenity seekers
Pick Old Town
Newer construction with richer amenity packages — rooftops, lounges and full fitness centers.
Browse Old Town apartments →Quality-of-living priority
Pick Old Town
Higher average resident ratings across reviewed buildings.
Browse Old Town apartments →