By Manuella Irwin
Updated: Sep 4, 2026
6 min read
Reviewed by Martin Pаnауоtоv
Editor
Martin is founder of MoveAdvisor, formerly MyMovingReviews.com.
230 movers in Des Plaines
"This company uses predatory practices, lies and extortion. Company movers smelled of alcohol at the time of pick up. When I was shopping for estimates, the company employee, Nate told me on phone it would take about 5-7 days to move me from IL to ..."
"Our experience with this moving company was beyond disastrous. From start to finish, they caused extensive damage to our belongings and displayed an appalling lack of professionalism. First and foremost, George, the head of operations, was incred..."
"Previously used Burrows when the company was managed by Dersu Burrows (2014). Great service at that time. Most recently, Sep, 2019, had horrible experience. Under new management. No good inventory method used. Items lost, never returned. Antique g..."
"Its worst and pathetic service.. They give you best deal but no grantee of your items, my few boxes are missing and most of furniture are broken.. And their claim process is bad, its almost 2 years for service but still struggling with claim.. Ple..."
"Don't use them! Charged an extra hour, added incorrect fees and did not adjust. Also damaged several pieces of furniture. $1,900+ for a local move."
"If you want to have the worst moving experience of your life, go with this company. Otherwise, stay away. We were moving from Chicago to NYC with 2 small kids, so I was very thoughtful to choose the right company. The sales person Jennifer Smi..."
"Sitting in an empty house with a pregnant wife and two little kids waiting for the company to find a driver to deliver my items to my new location. Well past the the delivery date provided by the company. They keep saying sorry but have provided n..."
"Selected this company based on a very reasonable price quote. Upon arrival, the movers increased the total cost of my move by almost $1000. as others here have mentioned too. I had to leave things behind because of this. I was told last Tuesday, 1..."
"The first time I moved with this company, it was a great move. So I called them again--much to my regret now. Both were local moves with a packing day, a moving day, and an unpacking day. The first time,the same crew came all three days. The sec..."
"I had received a quote on a Wednesday to ship a vehicle from UT to OH on that Friday. I booked the transfer and paid the downpayment Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning, I contacted them to get my driver information for the next day's pick up a..."
What to know when moving to Des Plaines, IL
TL;DR: Des Plaines at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community with a median household income of $84,044 and 31.5% of residents renting.
- The Major Draw:
- Access to 38 postsecondary institutions, including Oakton College.
- The Reality Check:
- 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
- Commute:
- Only 4.7% use public transit for commuting.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for a median gross rent of $1,406.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Des Plaines features a population of over 60,000 residents, with 42.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The community is moderately diverse in housing, with 31.5% of households renting. However, with only 4.7% of commuters relying on public transportation, a car is likely necessary for getting around.
Probably not your spot if: You prefer a high transit share, as only 4.7% use public transit.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $1,406, which is essential to budget for when considering a move.
- Median owner-occupied home value stands at $300,700, reflecting the local real estate market.
- The community has a poverty rate of 9.1%, indicating some economic diversity.
- 31.5% of residents are renters, showcasing a significant rental market.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
Crime rates in Illinois show a downward trend in both property and violent crime, making the state slightly safer than the national average.
- Violent crime rate in Illinois is 245.7 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 325.3, indicating a 28.7% decrease since 2022.
- Property crime rate is 1,549 per 100,000, slightly higher than the national average of 1,546.9, but has decreased by 16.1% since 2022.
- Notable trend: The homicide rate has decreased by 52.6% since 2022, currently at 4.5 per 100,000.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for Illinois).
Schools & Higher Ed
Des Plaines offers access to a variety of educational institutions, with 38 total schools in the area, including community colleges and universities.
- Notable nearby institutions include Oakton College in Des Plaines and City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College in Chicago.
- With 36 schools having College Scorecard data, there are plenty of options for higher education.
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Cook County experiences an annual precipitation of about 18.7 inches over approximately 45 rainy days. This means you might need to invest in some good rain gear.
- Parks & outdoor spots worth checking out include Lake Park (4.7 stars, 1,327 reviews) and Gallery Park (4.7 stars, 1,000 reviews).
- Another great option is Prairie Lakes Park, rated 4.7 with 844 reviews, ideal for enjoying the outdoors.
Source: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Cook County, where Des Plaines is located, the labor force is robust with over 2.7 million people contributing to the economy.
- Unemployment rate stands at 4.6% as of December 2025.
- Approximately 2.6 million people are employed in the county.
- The total labor force in Cook County is about 2.7 million individuals.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.