Is Des Plaines Safe, Pros and cons of living in Des Plaines
Des Plaines, Illinois, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, making it an attractive place to live for many. Situated just north of Chicago and near O’Hare International Airport, it provides convenient access to major transportation hubs and the amenities of a large metropolitan area. The city is named after the Des Plaines River, which flows through its eastern side.
With a population of over 59,000 residents, Des Plaines is a diverse community with a significant portion of its population born outside the United States, contributing to a rich cultural tapestry. The city provides a variety of housing options, from apartments to single-family homes, catering to different lifestyle needs and budgets. Its location within Cook County places it in a well-established region of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Is it Safe to Live in Des Plaines?
Violent Crime Rates
Des Plaines has a violent crime rate that is about average for communities across America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Des Plaines is approximately one in 853 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Overall, violent crimes in Des Plaines are 66.4% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
In the most recent reported crime year, Des Plaines recorded zero homicides (as reported by AreaVibes). The city’s violent crime rate is 120.6 per 100,000 people, which is significantly lower than the national average (as reported by CrimeByCity).
Property Crime Rates
The property crime rate in Des Plaines is 11 per one thousand population, indicating an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime when compared to all other communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary.
There were a total of 652 property crimes reported in Des Plaines, which is 35.3% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Des Plaines is one in 88 (as reported by AreaVibes).
Overall Safety and Crime Comparison
Des Plaines’s overall crime rate is 41% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The city is considered safer than 58% of cities in the United States, receiving a safety score of 77 out of 100 (as reported by CrimeByCity).
However, year-over-year crime in Des Plaines has increased by 27% (as reported by AreaVibes). While Des Plaines is generally considered safe, it’s important to note that crime rates can vary by neighborhood, with some areas experiencing lower incidents than others (as reported by CrimeByCity).
Cost of Living in Des Plaines
Housing Expenses
Housing expenses in Des Plaines are approximately 44% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median home value in Des Plaines is around $335,600 (as reported by Niche). Renting a two-bedroom apartment typically costs between $1,500 and $1,800 per month (as reported by Des Plaines Real Estate Market).
The median rent in Des Plaines is $2,077 as of April 2026, which is 7% higher than the national average (as reported by Zumper). Houses for rent in Des Plaines average around $3,195 per month (as reported by Zumper).
Other Living Costs
Des Plaines’s cost of living is 19% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are 5% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Transportation expenses, such as bus fares and gas prices, are 4% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).
Grocery prices in Des Plaines are 4% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare in Des Plaines is 16% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).
Job Market and Economy
Major Employers
Key employers in Des Plaines include Rivers Casino, Universal Oil Products, Oakton Community College, Sysco Food Services, Juno Lighting, Holy Family Medical Center, Wheels Inc., and LSG Sky Chefs (as reported by Wikipedia). China Airlines also maintains its Chicago office in Des Plaines.
Other significant companies with a presence in Des Plaines include Walmart, McDonald’s, FedEx, Target, ALDI, UPS, Kroger, and Starbucks (as reported by Indeed.com). Manufacturing companies like International Paper, Parker Hannifin, Amcor, and ITW also contribute to the local economy (as reported by Indeed.com).
Employment and Salaries
As of April 2026, the average annual salary in Des Plaines is approximately $56,470 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Des Plaines was $97,875 in 2024 (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau). A good salary in Des Plaines is considered anything over $56,000, given the median income (as reported by Zippia).
From 2023 to 2024, employment in Des Plaines declined slightly by -0.626% (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents are Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA).
Climate and Weather
Temperatures and Seasons
Des Plaines experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate with four distinct seasons (as reported by Wikipedia). The warm season typically lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures above 73°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 83°F and lows of 67°F.
The cold season spans from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 42°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 19°F and highs of 32°F. Temperatures throughout the year typically range from 18°F to 84°F, rarely falling below -1°F or exceeding 92°F (as reported by Weather Spark).
Precipitation and Snowfall
Annual precipitation in Des Plaines averages around 38 inches, with an equal amount of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city has a high precipitation rate during the summer months, often accompanied by storms (as reported by Wikipedia).
The clearest part of the year is generally from mid-June to late October, with August being the clearest month. Conversely, the cloudier period begins in late October and lasts until mid-June, with January being the cloudiest month (as reported by Weather Spark).
Education and Schools
Public School Districts
Public school districts serving Des Plaines include Elementary and Middle School District 62, District 59, and District 63. High school students are served by District 207, which includes Maine West High School (as reported by Wikipedia). Community Consolidated School District No. 62 has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 (as reported by Niche).
State test scores indicate that 37% of students in District 62 are proficient in math and 51% in reading (as reported by Niche). Cumberland Elementary School and Iroquois Community School are among the highly-rated elementary schools within the district (as reported by Niche).
Higher Education and Private Schools
Oakton College, a community college with campuses in Skokie and Des Plaines, serves the higher education needs of the area (as reported by Wikipedia). Private school options in Des Plaines include Immanuel Lutheran School, The Science and Arts Academy, and The Willows Academy.
Universities in Des Plaines awarded 2,104 degrees in 2023, with Oakton College being the largest institution by number of degrees awarded (as reported by Data USA). The student population in Des Plaines is slightly skewed towards women, with 3,367 male students and 3,665 female students in 2023 (as reported by Data USA).
Demographics and Population
Population and Age Distribution
As of the 2020 census, Des Plaines had a population of 60,675 residents (as reported by Wikipedia). The median age in Des Plaines is 42.3 years (as reported by Des Plaines Demographics). Approximately 18.2% of residents are under the age of 18, and 20.1% are 65 years of age or older (as reported by Wikipedia).
The age distribution shows that about 16.6% of the population are children under 15, with another 10.4% in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 make up 26.4% of the population, while those aged 45 to 64 represent 25.8% (as reported by Point2Homes).
Race and Ethnicity
The largest racial and ethnic groups in Des Plaines are White (54.8%), followed by Hispanic (23.1%) and Asian (14.9%) (as reported by Des Plaines Demographics). Approximately 33.9% of Des Plaines residents were born outside the United States as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA).
Of the population, 64.5% are U.S.-born citizens, while 23.6% have obtained naturalized citizenship. Non-citizens make up 11.9% of the residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The city is home to a diverse population, with significant representation from various ethnic backgrounds.