Cincinnati, OH 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.
Cincinnati
72.8
#820 nationally
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Des Plaines leads in median household income ($86,552 vs $46,094). Cincinnati leads in cost of living index (88 vs 112). Cincinnati leads in average commute (23.5 min vs 29.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Plaines, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#820) | 76.4 (#348) |
| Population | 311,097 | 58,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $251,326 | $360,725 |
| Median Household Income | $46,094 | $86,552 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 29.9 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 3.3 |
| School Rating | 5.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+14.9 | D+42.0 |
C-
72.8 Score
Cincinnati, OH
Queen City charm with renewed energy
Median Home
$251,326
Population
311,097
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Midwest
View Cincinnati, OH →
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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