Des Plaines, IL vs Mountlake Terrace, WA
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
Mountlake Terrace
67.3
#1439 nationally
Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 5.3). Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 138). Mountlake Terrace leads in median household income ($96,104 vs $86,552).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Mountlake Terrace, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 67.3 (#1439) |
| Population | 58,010 | 21,516 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $678,553 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $96,104 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 5.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+19.0 |
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+
67.3 Score
Mountlake Terrace, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$678,553
Population
21,516
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
52
Pacific
View Mountlake Terrace, WA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Des Plaines for: