Alexandria, VA vs Des Plaines, IL
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.
Alexandria
67.6
#1397 nationally
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 6.0). Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 155). Alexandria leads in median household income ($113,179 vs $86,552).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Des Plaines, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.6 (#1397) | 76.4 (#348) |
| Population | 155,230 | 58,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,586 | $360,725 |
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $86,552 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 29.9 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 6.0 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+57.7 | D+42.0 |
D+
67.6 Score
Alexandria, VA
Mid-size Virginia city with community character
Median Home
$672,586
Population
155,230
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Alexandria, VA →
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 →
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