Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Moines
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
56% higher compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Moines's average rent is
13% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Des Moines | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,162 | $1,338 | -13% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,082 | $1,338 | +56% |
| Cost Index | 81 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 14% 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 Des Moines is estimated at
$55,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Des Moines | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,247 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $47,000 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Des Moines | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Des Moines | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 17.90 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 8x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Des Moines | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,232 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Des Moines
#25Iowa, 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
Moscow
#14Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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