Des Plaines, IL vs Waukee, IA
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
Waukee
77.3
#263 nationally
Waukee leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 29.9 min). Waukee leads in median household income ($106,846 vs $86,552). Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 3.9).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Waukee, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 77.3 (#263) |
| Population | 58,010 | 31,645 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $343,274 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $106,846 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | R+4.8 |
Data coverage note: Waukee 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+
77.3 Score
Waukee, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$343,274
Population
31,645
Crime
Low
Median Income
$106,846
Midwest
View Waukee, IA →
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