Aurora, IL vs Des Moines, WA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Aurora
73.2
#764 nationally
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Aurora leads in cost of living index (105 vs 133). Aurora leads in crime level (7.3 vs 8.1). Aurora leads in median household income ($85,943 vs $81,362).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Des Moines, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#764) | 64.6 (#1684) |
| Population | 177,563 | 31,988 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $326,890 | $607,792 |
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $81,362 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 8.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+51.7 |
C
73.2 Score
Aurora, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$326,890
Population
177,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Aurora, IL →
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →