Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burlington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
134% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,742 | $744 | +134% |
| Groceries | $373 | $600 | -38% |
| Utilities | $115 | $150 | -23% |
| Transport | $106 | $800 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $55 | $500 | -89% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,794 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 3% 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 Burlington is estimated at
$61,000 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,855 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,301 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Burlington 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 | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Burlington.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines 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 | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,484 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Burlington consistently ranks among the top livable cities in Canada, recognized for its high quality of life.
The city and the broader Halton Region maintain low crime rates, with violent crime decreasing for the third consecutive year in 2025.
Burlington offers a diverse and thriving economy with job growth in sectors like Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Biomedical & Life Sciences.
Its strategic location provides excellent access to major job markets and cultural centers in Toronto and Hamilton, with convenient transit options.
The city boasts significant natural beauty, including the Lake Ontario waterfront and the Niagara Escarpment, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 138.
Housing costs are particularly high, with average rents and property prices exceeding national and provincial averages.
Despite overall low regional crime, Burlington's specific crime rate was the highest in the Halton Region in 2025, particularly for property crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability outside of downtown areas.
Some residents note a limited nightlife, with many establishments closing by 10 PM on weekdays.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Burlington
#2Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,742
Avg Salary
$52,855
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
81
Business
70
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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