Darien, IL vs Plano, TX
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.
Darien
75.1
#500 nationally
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Plano leads in cost of living index (107 vs 122). Plano leads in walk score (39 vs 35). Darien leads in median household income ($110,546 vs $99,936).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Darien, IL | Plano, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.1 (#500) | 72.6 (#865) |
| Population | 21,698 | 287,339 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $463,450 | $499,723 |
| Median Household Income | $110,546 | $99,936 |
| Average Commute | 29.7 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 1.1 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | R+11.2 |
C
75.1 Score
Darien, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$463,450
Population
21,698
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Darien, IL →
C-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →