Des Moines, IA vs Evanston, IL
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.
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
Evanston leads in walk score (76 vs 45). Evanston leads in median household income ($93,188 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 29 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 74.7 (#562) |
| Population | 214,133 | 75,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $494,604 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $93,188 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 29 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 76 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.9 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 131 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C
74.7 Score
Evanston, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$494,604
Population
75,070
Crime
Low
Walk Score
76
Midwest
View Evanston, IL →
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