Des Moines, WA vs Elgin, 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.
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 133). Elgin leads in crime level (7.3 vs 8.1). Elgin leads in average commute (28.3 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 31,988 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | 7.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+42.0 |
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →
C-
72.8 Score
Elgin, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$343,260
Population
113,310
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
43
Midwest
View Elgin, IL →