Des Plaines, IL vs Simi Valley, 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
Simi Valley
67.3
#1445 nationally
Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 176). Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 39). Simi Valley leads in median household income ($112,144 vs $86,552).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Simi Valley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 67.3 (#1445) |
| Population | 58,010 | 125,113 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $841,774 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $112,144 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 176 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+15.1 |
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+
67.3 Score
Simi Valley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$841,774
Population
125,113
Crime
Low
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Simi Valley, CA →
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