Performance
Score Breakdown
Aberdeen
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aberdeen's average rent is
45% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,081 | $744 | +45% |
| Groceries | $400 | $600 | -33% |
| Utilities | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Transport | $120 | $800 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $500 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,031 | $2,794 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aberdeen offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aberdeen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aberdeen is estimated at
$43,240 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,742 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $43,240 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,428 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $64,405 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
Des Moines scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 134.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,189 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 1.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly lower cost of living, estimated to be 6% below the U.S. national average in 2026.
The average commute time in Aberdeen is exceptionally short, at just 11.9 minutes as of 2024.
The violent crime rate is 72% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
Aberdeen has a high industry diversity of 98.7%, indicating strong economic stability.
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was recognized among America's 100 Best for Coronary Intervention in 2026, highlighting quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
Aberdeen's population is currently declining, with a projected annual rate of -0.37% in 2026.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 39 and limited public transit options.
Employment in Aberdeen declined by -2.54% from 2023 to 2024.
Winters in Aberdeen are described as freezing, snowy, and windy, with an average January low of 6°F.
Some healthcare facilities, like Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, declined to respond to Leapfrog Group on several patient safety and equity measures.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aberdeen
#8South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,081
Avg Salary
$57,742
Cost Index
94
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
75
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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