Des Moines, WA vs Wheeling, 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
64.6
#1684 nationally
Wheeling
77.3
#265 nationally
Wheeling leads in crime level (1.7 vs 8.1). Wheeling leads in cost of living index (104 vs 133). Wheeling leads in average commute (26.6 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Wheeling, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 77.3 (#265) |
| Population | 31,988 | 37,725 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $321,656 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $80,054 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 26.6 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | 1.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C+
77.3 Score
Wheeling, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$321,656
Population
37,725
Crime
Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Wheeling, IL →
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