Neighborhood Comparison
Old Town vs Gold Coast
Old Town and Gold Coast are evenly matched across rent, walkability, transit, amenities and resident sentiment. The right pick comes down to which dimensions you weight most.
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 →Gold Coast
Chicago, IL
Chicago's most prestigious neighborhood featuring historic mansions, luxury boutiques on Oak Street, and stunning lakefront views. The epitome of upscale urban living.
Full Gold Coast guide →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Old Town | Gold Coast | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $2,800 | Old Town |
| Walkability | 6.1 / 10 | 8.4 / 10 | Gold Coast |
| Transit Access | 9.5 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 | Tie |
| Amenities | 9.1 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 | Old Town |
| Average Building Rating | 4.5 ★ | 4.6 ★ | Tie |
| Resident Sentiment | 11.06 (287 reviews) | 11.38 (298 reviews) | Gold Coast |
Average Rent: Old Town averages about $400 less per month — meaningful over a 12-month lease.
Walkability: Gold Coast scores higher for daily-essentials walkability — groceries, coffee and dining within a short walk of most buildings.
Transit Access: Old Town and Gold Coast score similarly on transit access.
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: Gold Coast has stronger overall resident sentiment when weighting ratings by review volume.
Which Should You Choose?
Budget-conscious renters
Pick Old Town
Lower average asking rent and stronger value across studio and 1-bedroom inventory.
Browse Old Town apartments →Car-free professionals
Pick Gold Coast
Better transit access shortens daily commutes and reduces reliance on rideshare.
Browse Gold Coast apartments →Walkability-first renters
Pick Gold Coast
Higher density of groceries, coffee, dining and fitness within a 10-minute walk of most buildings.
Browse Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast
Higher average resident ratings across reviewed buildings.
Browse Gold Coast apartments →