Des Plaines, IL vs Portage, IN
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
Portage
71.1
#1027 nationally
Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 6.4). Des Plaines leads in median household income ($86,552 vs $71,317). Portage leads in cost of living index (94 vs 112).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Portage, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 71.1 (#1027) |
| Population | 58,010 | 38,513 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $269,590 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $71,317 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 28.7 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 6.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | R+10.5 |
Data coverage note: Portage is missing data for 1 metric that Des Plaines has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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-
71.1 Score
Portage, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$269,590
Population
38,513
Crime
Moderate
Median Income
$71,317
Midwest
View Portage, IN →
Try a different matchup
Swap Des Plaines for: