Cedar Falls, IA 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.
Cedar Falls
79.7
#107 nationally
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Cedar Falls leads in average commute (15.3 min vs 29.9 min). Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 38). Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 4.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cedar Falls, IA | Des Plaines, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.7 (#107) | 76.4 (#348) |
| Population | 40,737 | 58,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $271,320 | $360,725 |
| Median Household Income | $71,011 | $86,552 |
| Average Commute | 15.3 min | 29.9 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 4.3 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.2 | D+42.0 |
C+
79.7 Score
Cedar Falls, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$271,320
Population
40,737
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Cedar Falls, IA →
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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