Des Plaines, IL vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $86,552). Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 4.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 58,010 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+25.6 |
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+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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