Des Plaines, IL vs Irvine, CA
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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 178). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $86,552). Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 58,010 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →
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