Des Plaines, IL vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 25.4). Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 57). Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 181).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 58,010 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+86.1 |
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
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →
Try a different matchup
Swap Des Plaines for: