Des Plaines, IL vs East Lansing, MI
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 Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
East Lansing
72.8
#823 nationally
Des Plaines leads in median household income ($86,552 vs $44,094). East Lansing leads in average commute (16.1 min vs 29.9 min). Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 6.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | East Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 72.8 (#823) |
| Population | 58,010 | 48,528 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $328,740 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $44,094 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 16.1 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 6.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+29.7 |
C
76.4 Score
Des Plaines, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,725
Population
58,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
57
Midwest
View Des Plaines, IL →
C-
72.8 Score
East Lansing, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$328,740
Population
48,528
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View East Lansing, MI →
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