Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% higher compared to Barrie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barrie's average rent is
143% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Barrie | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $744 | +143% |
| Groceries | $1,460 | $600 | +143% |
| Utilities | $259 | $150 | +73% |
| Transport | $91 | $800 | -89% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $500 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,620 | $2,794 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 94% 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 Barrie is estimated at
$5,425 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Barrie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,480 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $5,425 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,107 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | 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
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 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 | Barrie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 134.40 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Barrie.
From a growth perspective, Barrie 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.
| Metric | Barrie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,450 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.20% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | |
| Unemployment | 12.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie was ranked as the second fastest-growing city in Canada in 2025, indicating strong population inflows.
The average home price in Barrie was $711,800 CAD in December 2025, which is more affordable than the Greater Toronto Area.
Barrie is recognized as a safe city, having been ranked among the safest in Canada with a low violent Crime Severity Index.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is undergoing a significant expansion, planning to double its size and build a new South Campus, enhancing healthcare access.
Barrie boasts over 350 hectares of park space, with 93% of residents having a park or green space close to their home.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Barrie was 12.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
The average rent in Barrie, at $1,810 USD per month as of June 2026, is comparable to the national median rent, indicating it's not significantly cheaper than other areas in Canada.
Food costs are projected to increase, with an average family of four expected to pay an estimated $994.63 CAD more for food in 2026 than in 2025.
Barrie's cost of living is 12% higher than the national average.
The city's rapid growth has led to a shortage of developable lands within its municipal boundary, posing challenges for future housing and employment needs.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Barrie
#4Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$3,480
Cost Index
112
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.20%
Unemployment
12.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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