Des Plaines, IL vs Madison, WI
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
Madison
73.1
#790 nationally
Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 29.9 min). Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 48). Des Plaines leads in median household income ($86,552 vs $76,184).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 73.1 (#790) |
| Population | 58,010 | 269,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $432,061 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $76,184 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 20.1 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 109 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+51.7 |
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 →
C
73.1 Score
Madison, WI
Education excellence on the isthmus
Median Home
$432,061
Population
269,840
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A-
Midwest
View Madison, WI →
Try a different matchup
Swap Des Plaines for: