Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% higher compared to Toronto.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
219% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Toronto | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,375 | $744 | +219% |
| Groceries | $450 | $600 | -25% |
| Utilities | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Transport | $120 | $800 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $500 | -80% |
| Monthly Total | $3,265 | $2,794 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toronto offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toronto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toronto is estimated at
$75,000 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Toronto | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,205 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 108,008 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $70,325 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | 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
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 90.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 15.7x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Toronto 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 | Toronto | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,358,275 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.64% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | |
| Unemployment | 8.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto General Hospital ranked as the second-best hospital globally in 2026, highlighting world-class healthcare.
The city boasts a high transit score of 90 and is ranked #1 in Canada for public transportation, with fare capping coming in September 2026.
Homicides in Toronto plummeted by approximately 55% in 2025, contributing to a high safety score of 84.
Toronto is a highly multicultural city, making it easy for immigrants to integrate and contributing to a vibrant community.
The city's population is projected to grow by 2.64% in 2026, indicating strong demographic momentum.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with a cost of living index of 67.5 relative to New York City (100).
The unemployment rate in Toronto was 8.2% in May 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,097 USD and a 2-bedroom is $2,700 USD as of May 2026, indicating high housing costs.
The average commute time is around 35 minutes, and the city experiences chronic traffic congestion.
Childcare costs are very expensive, posing a significant financial burden for families.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Toronto
#1Ontario, Canada
83.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,375
Avg Salary
$70,205
Cost Index
65
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
90.0/10
Walkability
61.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.64%
Unemployment
8.20%
Livability
75
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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