Evanston, IL vs West Des Moines, 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.
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
West Des Moines
77.1
#283 nationally
Evanston leads in walk score (76 vs 34). West Des Moines leads in average commute (17.8 min vs 29 min). West Des Moines leads in cost of living index (103 vs 131).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Evanston, IL | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.7 (#562) | 77.1 (#283) |
| Population | 75,070 | 72,205 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $494,604 | $325,031 |
| Median Household Income | $93,188 | $82,345 |
| Average Commute | 29 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 3.9 | 4.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+10.9 |
C
74.7 Score
Evanston, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$494,604
Population
75,070
Crime
Low
Walk Score
76
Midwest
View Evanston, IL →
C+
77.1 Score
West Des Moines, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$325,031
Population
72,205
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View West Des Moines, IA →
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