Buffalo Grove, IL vs Des Moines, IA
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.
Buffalo Grove
77.6
#229 nationally
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Buffalo Grove leads in median household income ($127,553 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 28.8 min). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 126).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo Grove, IL | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#229) | 80.8 (#61) |
| Population | 42,482 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $452,107 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $127,553 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 28.8 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+10.9 |
C+
77.6 Score
Buffalo Grove, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$452,107
Population
42,482
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Buffalo Grove, IL →
B-
80.8 Score
Des Moines, IA
Insurance capital with surprising vibrancy
Median Home
$212,006
Population
214,133
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Des Moines, IA →
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