Signals
Skokie
Des Plaines
Opportunity
42 · Bottom 20%
vs42 · Bottom 21%
Climate
62 · Bottom 20%
vs62 · Bottom 23%
Physical resilience
69 · Top 38%
vs69 · Top 38%
Housing affordability
85 · Top 43%
vs91 · Top 29%
Schools
69 · Top 28%
vs66 · Top 32%
Access
97 · Top 29%
vs97 · Top 29%
Economic stability
63 · Top 43%
vs69 · Top 31%
Measured values
| Metric | Skokie | Des Plaines | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,219 | 59,156 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $95,337 | $97,875 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,534 | $45,076 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 6,580/sq mi | 4,155/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $387,200 | $335,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,552 | $1,606 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 74.7% | 78.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -3.1% | -3.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53.8% | 38.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 6.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 84°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 32.3" | 37.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 10 mi | 4 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.7 min | 30.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.2 | 42.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 16 | 10 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.76 | 10.17 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 29.5% | 25.3% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 34.2% | 33.6% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 49.0% | 56.9% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Skokie
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Des Plaines
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Skokie
70
Your Score
—
Area Score
Des Plaines
65
Your Score
60
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Skokie, IL · Des Plaines, IL · How this is calculated: methodology