Des Plaines, IL vs Gaithersburg, MD

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 Plaines

76.4

#348 nationally

vs

Gaithersburg

68.7

#1291 nationally

Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 6.9). Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 141). Gaithersburg leads in median household income ($104,544 vs $86,552).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Des Plaines, IL Gaithersburg, MD
WhereAtHome Score 76.4 (#348) 68.7 (#1291)
Population 58,010 69,563
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $360,725 $522,428
Median Household Income $86,552 $104,544
Average Commute 29.9 min 30.5 min
Walk Score 57 52
Crime Level 3.3 6.9
School Rating N/A N/A
Cost of Living Index 112 141
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+42.0 D+53.3
Des Plaines, IL
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 →
Gaithersburg, MD
D+
68.7 Score

Gaithersburg, MD

Maryland community balancing growth and livability

Median Home

$522,428

Population

69,563

Crime

Moderate

Walk Score

52

Northeast View Gaithersburg, MD →

Try a different matchup

Swap Des Plaines for:

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Swap Gaithersburg for:

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