Des Plaines, IL vs Merced, 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
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 21.5). Des Plaines leads in median household income ($86,552 vs $59,233). Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 58,010 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | R+4.4 |
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
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →
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