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
"Please run from this company! This has been a horrible experience for our family! We moved from Texas to Florida. On moving day, I took the “team leader” through the house and showed him what to take. There was a pile of things in a separate area...."
"I contracted with the ABQ office to store my items until I had a move location and date. They were not to load prior to Jan 2, they had a truck going on 12/14 and decided to send the shipment earlywithoutevercontactingmeregardingtheearlydelivery M..."
"Don't use Norm's Moving Company. They damaged our house and the items they were moving and they don't want to take responsibility for it . The mover on site is denying damage was even done. If you want your items delivered in one piece and your ho..."
"1. There were three glass items broken, totaling less than $100. 2 A large rug clearly marked "do not transport" was transported. The driver and the crew were specifically told about the items that were to remain. I had to ship the item back to it..."
"They have F rating with BBB. . Damaged furniture not repaired or reimbursed. There was $300.00 worth of damage. They were nonresponsive to my claim. Nonresponsive to BBB& Attorney General consumer protection. They said I had bedbugs but it was..."
"We hired Elite Affordable Movers (aka Moving More For Less) for moving & storage in late 2025 and it was disastrous, costing us thousands and thousands of dollars in destroyed, damaged, or lost belongings. The owners have since ghosted us rather t..."
"This is how it works you pay for full coverage and they never give you back not even 1/2 of what your items are worth not even 1/3 and you can nerver get anyonw onthe phone frankly they are ridiculous if you can please save yourself use a diffretn..."
"Owner, Geneva Rapp, is dishonest, unethical & rude. My dad's move was scheduled on a Wednesday. She called Monday asking to move him a day early, on Tuesday. SHE STATED SHE TOOK ANOTHER JOB ON OUR MOVING DAY. I told her our timeline didn't allow u..."
"Don't use Denoyer Bros. I want to warn you that they are not ethical in charging. They never told me that it was 125.00 just to drive to the house; when I questioned this, they said this was standard practice and I should have known. Then the two ..."
"We paid a broker based on a low ball estimate, meaning they quoted the job and then contracted it out to this company, but that's not how they represent themselves. They quoted $2200 to move a bed, a couch and roughly 10 boxes from Tennessee to Fl..."
"My client was buying a kitchen second hand and we needed the movers to go to the suburbs of Milwaukee and bring the kitchen cabinets that were removed and all wrapped, and some appliances back to Chicago. These people tried to charge $13,000 for l..."
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.