Des Plaines, IL vs Menlo Park, CA
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
Menlo Park
65.4
#1635 nationally
Menlo Park leads in median household income ($198,273 vs $86,552). Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 6.3). Menlo Park leads in average commute (25.5 min vs 29.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Menlo Park, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 65.4 (#1635) |
| Population | 58,010 | 31,690 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $2,890,071 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $198,273 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 25.5 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 6.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+50.3 |
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 →
D
65.4 Score
Menlo Park, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$2,890,071
Population
31,690
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Menlo Park, CA →
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