City Comparison
Ankeny vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ankeny scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ankeny
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Ankeny.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ankeny's average rent is
25% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Ankeny | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,162 | +25% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,380 | $2,082 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ankeny offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ankeny is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Ankeny | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,958 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ankeny runs warmer on average — a 52.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ankeny comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ankeny sees 23.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ankeny | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ankeny | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Ankeny.
From a growth perspective, Ankeny is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ankeny has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ankeny | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,200 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ankeny
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Iowa with crime rates well below the national average per FBI data.
Exceptional public school system (Ankeny Community School District) attracting many families to the area.
Vibrant commercial hubs like The District at Prairie Trail offering diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Rapid economic growth and low unemployment rate tied to a diverse regional job market.
Extensive parks and recreation network featuring over 100 miles of paved trails.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for non-drivers.
Rising housing costs and property taxes driven by rapid population growth.
Cold and snowy winter conditions with average winter lows dropping to 15.3°F.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak morning and evening hours.
Limited nightlife options compared to the nearby urban center of Des Moines.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ankeny
#6Iowa, USA
77.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
52.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
78
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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