City Comparison
Marshalltown vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marshalltown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marshalltown
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Marshalltown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marshalltown's average rent is
27% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,162 | -27% |
| Groceries | $370 | $400 | -8% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,715 | $2,082 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 20% 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 Marshalltown is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $55,400 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marshalltown runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marshalltown comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marshalltown sees 26.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Marshalltown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
Marshalltown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Marshalltown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Marshalltown.
From a growth perspective, Marshalltown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Marshalltown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,500 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marshalltown
Advantages
Median home prices in Marshalltown are substantially lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 20 minutes.
A revitalized downtown district offers local dining, community events, and cultural festivals.
Strong local manufacturing and healthcare sectors provide steady employment opportunities.
Abundant parks and recreational areas support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options create a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Severe weather events, including tornadoes and winter storms, occasionally impact the region.
Fewer entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan areas like Des Moines.
Average household incomes trail state and national benchmarks.
Opportunities for remote tech and corporate careers locally are relatively sparse.
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.
Marshalltown
#212Iowa, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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