Dallas, TX 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.
Dallas
70.1
#1132 nationally
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Des Plaines leads in median household income ($86,552 vs $61,899). Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 46). Dallas leads in average commute (27.4 min vs 29.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Des Plaines, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1132) | 76.4 (#348) |
| Population | 1,304,379 | 58,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,590 | $360,725 |
| Median Household Income | $61,899 | $86,552 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 29.9 min |
| Walk Score | 46 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 3.3 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+22.2 | D+42.0 |
C-
70.1 Score
Dallas, TX
Big D - business and culture collide
Median Home
$309,590
Population
1,304,379
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Dallas, TX →
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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