Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alafaya, FL
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Alafaya leads 11 of 20 categories
Alafaya
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$93,251 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
91,531
Des Moines
Iowa
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
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.
Alafaya, FL
Pros
Households earn $30,873 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 31°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.4%)
More college-educated — 47.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $361,800
Higher rents — median is $1,768/mo
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Des Moines
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $191k less ($170,700 vs $361,800)
Rent averages $773/mo less ($995 vs $1,768)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Alafaya
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 92°F
Cons
Median income trails Alafaya by $30,873/yr
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 4.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Alafaya
Median Income
$30,873
$93,251 vs $62,378/yr
Alafaya
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.4% vs 5.9% unemployment
Alafaya
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 85.6°F
Des Moines
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$191k less
$170,700 vs $361,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alafaya, FL | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.1⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $361,800⚠ High | $170,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,768⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $93,251 ✓ Higher | $62,378 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.2% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 185⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.9% ✓ Higher | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 93.5% ✓ Higher | 87.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ORANGE | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.2°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 56.2" | 36.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 36.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 91,531 | 213,164 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.9 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% ✓ Higher | 60.3% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alafaya's cost of living index is 101.1 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Alafaya leads 11 of 20 categories. Alafaya wins 11 and Des Moines wins 9. 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 Alafaya to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($361,800 vs $170,700 median home), income ($93,251 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alafaya, FL and Des Moines, IA are about 1,140 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.