Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Moines
Miami
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Miami is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% higher compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Moines's average rent is
70% lower than Miami's.
| Metric | Des Moines | Miami | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $744 | $2,460 | -70% |
| Groceries | $600 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $800 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $500 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,794 | $2,460 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Miami offers 13% 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.
| Metric | Des Moines | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,311 | $62,462 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $0 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,034 idx | 49,183 idx |
| Household Income | $63,212 | $62,462 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Des Moines | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 64.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Miami.
Miami scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Miami leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Des Moines | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 64.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 77.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 134.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Miami is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Miami is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Des Moines | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 214,237 | 487,014 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 3.50% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $34.1B | $260.8B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Des Moines
Miami
Advantages
Vibrant multicultural environment and strong Latin American influence.
Thriving job market with growth in finance, tech, and healthcare sectors.
Beautiful beaches and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
High walkability scores in many neighborhoods, reducing car dependency.
Dynamic cultural scene with diverse dining, arts, and entertainment options.
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly housing expenses.
Traffic congestion can be a significant issue.
Crime rates can be higher than the national average in certain areas.
High humidity and frequent rainfall during certain months.
Vulnerability to hurricanes and tropical storms.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Miami
#19Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,460
Avg Salary
$62,462
Cost Index
127
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
64.0/10
Walkability
77.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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