Bahawalpur
Punjab, Pakistan
#4 in Pakistan
60
Overall Score
VS
Des Moines
Iowa, USA
#14 in USA
75
Overall Score
Des Moines scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Bahawalpur
Des Moines
Livability
65
85
Affordability
90
90
Business
50
80
Growth
70
70
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Cost of Living

Bahawalpur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 86% lower compared to Des Moines. Housing costs are a major driver: Bahawalpur's average rent is 84% lower than Des Moines's.
MetricBahawalpurDes MoinesDiff
Average Rent
$120$744-84%
Groceries
$100$600-83%
Utilities
$85$150-43%
Transport
$25$800-97%
Healthcare
$50$500-90%
Monthly Total
$380$2,794-86%
Cost Index
2592out of 100

Salary & Income

Des Moines offers 97% lower 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 Bahawalpur is estimated at $4,800 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
MetricBahawalpurDes Moines
Average Salary
$1,716$54,311
Salary Needed
$4,800$45,000
Purchasing Power
6,864 idx59,034 idx

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricBahawalpurDes Moines
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
40.00%64.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other. Bahawalpur scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Bahawalpur leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricBahawalpurDes Moines
Commute Time
20 min20 min
Transit Score
45.0/1030.0/10
Walkability
55.0/1050.0/10
Traffic Index
134.40
Car Dependency
MediumHigh
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Economy & Demographics

Bahawalpur is the larger city — approximately 4.6x the population of Des Moines. From a growth perspective, Bahawalpur is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricBahawalpurDes Moines
Population
995,000214,237
Pop. Growth
2.58%1.20%
Median Age
20.634.4
Unemployment
7.50%4.20%
GDP
$0.0B$34.1B

Pros & Cons

Bahawalpur
Advantages
Bahawalpur boasts a rich architectural legacy and numerous historical monuments, offering cultural appeal.
The city serves as a gateway to the Lal Suhanra National Park, providing access to natural attractions.
Bahawalpur is an expanding industrial city with diverse sectors including textile, food processing, and oil mills.
The cost of living in Bahawalpur is exceptionally low, making it highly affordable for residents.
The city maintains a high safety index, indicating a secure environment for its inhabitants.
Drawbacks
Bahawalpur faces challenges with inadequate waste management and deficient sewerage systems.
Social issues such as the caste system, feudalism, and gender disparities in education persist.
The city experiences urbanization challenges, including slum development and the emergence of informal settlements.
There are concerns regarding air and water pollution, and a lack of safe drinking water in some areas.
The entrepreneurial climate is hindered by factors like limited access to financial capital and poor infrastructure.
Des Moines
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Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Bahawalpur
#4
Punjab, Pakistan
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$120
Avg Salary
$1,716
Cost Index
25
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.58%
Unemployment
7.50%
Livability
65
Business
50
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Des Moines
#14
Iowa, 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
View Full Profile

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