Des Plaines, IL vs Laurel, MD

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

vs

Laurel

66.4

#1547 nationally

Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 10.8). Des Plaines leads in average commute (29.9 min vs 33.5 min). Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 125).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Des Plaines, IL Laurel, MD
WhereAtHome Score 76.4 (#348) 66.4 (#1547)
Population 58,010 29,400
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $360,725 $478,130
Median Household Income $86,552 $92,035
Average Commute 29.9 min 33.5 min
Walk Score 57 53
Crime Level 3.3 10.8
School Rating N/A N/A
Cost of Living Index 112 125
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+42.0 D+13.9
Des Plaines, IL
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 →
Laurel, MD
D
66.4 Score

Laurel, MD

Small Maryland city with local appeal

Median Home

$478,130

Population

29,400

Crime

Moderate-High

Walk Score

53

Northeast View Laurel, MD →

Try a different matchup

Swap Des Plaines for:

Mount Prospect, IL vs Laurel Park Ridge, IL vs Laurel Glenview, IL vs Laurel Niles, IL vs Laurel Morton Grove, IL vs Laurel

Swap Laurel for:

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