Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Abilene leads 12 of 22 categories
Abilene
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Des Moines
Iowa
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7
Median Household Income
$62,378 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
40% less violent crime than Des Moines
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (2.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 31°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Des Moines
Cons
Median income trails Des Moines by $3,124/yr
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 96°F
Households earn $3,124 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 2.8%)
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 92.7 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
40% lower
424.5 vs 703.0 per 100k
Abilene
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
2.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 85.6°F
Des Moines
Median Income
$3,124
$62,378 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 92.7 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $170,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $62,378 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 19.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 185⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 87.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 36.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 36.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 213,164 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Abilene leads 12 of 22 categories. Abilene wins 12 and Des Moines wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Abilene to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $170,700 median home), income ($59,254 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Des Moines, IA are about 715 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.