Performance
Score Breakdown
Davenport
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davenport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Davenport's average rent is
22% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Davenport | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $902 | $1,162 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $260 | $180 | +44% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,882 | $2,082 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 41% 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 Davenport is estimated at
$67,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Davenport | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,673 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 42,498 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $66,200 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Davenport | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Davenport | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 44.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 17.90 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Davenport.
From a growth perspective, Davenport 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 | Davenport | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,913 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Davenport
Advantages
The cost of living in Davenport is 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Davenport boasts a shorter average commute time of 19.4 minutes compared to the national average, saving residents time.
The city offers award-winning healthcare systems and has 11 hospitals, ensuring good access to medical care.
Davenport provides extensive recreational opportunities with over 50 parks and 20 miles of trails for various outdoor activities.
The housing market is affordable, with a median home sale price of $190,000 in June 2026, which is 46% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Davenport's crime rates are 168% higher than the Iowa average, indicating significant safety concerns.
Population growth in Davenport has been relatively flat since 1980, hovering around 100,000 residents.
The city has limited public transit options and a low walkability score of 44, leading to a medium to high car dependency for most errands.
Despite some growing sectors, overall job growth in the Quad Cities metro area has been mixed, with recent job losses in some months of 2026.
Davenport experiences cold and snowy winters, with average low temperatures around 15°F in January.
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.
Davenport
#69Iowa, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$902
Avg Salary
$38,673
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
44.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
Des Moines
#23Iowa, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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