Des Plaines, IL vs Waltham, MA
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
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Des Plaines leads in crime level (3.3 vs 6.9). Des Plaines leads in cost of living index (112 vs 164). Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $86,552).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 58,010 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+39.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →
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