Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Anchorage leads 12 of 23 categories
Anchorage
Alaska
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High
Population
290,674 ✓ Larger
Des Moines
Iowa
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Households earn $33,353 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 67°F vs 86°F
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $363,800
Higher rents — median is $1,405/mo
Violent crime (1014.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2765.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $193k less ($170,700 vs $363,800)
Rent averages $410/mo less ($995 vs $1,405)
31% less violent crime than Anchorage
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Anchorage
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Milder winters — January highs near 31°F vs 21°F
Cons
Median income trails Anchorage by $33,353/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 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Median Income
$33,353
$95,731 vs $62,378/yr
Anchorage
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Des Moines
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
31% lower
703.0 vs 1014.8 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$193k less
$170,700 vs $363,800
Des Moines
Summer Heat
18.2°F warmer
July avg high 85.6°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $363,800⚠ High | $170,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $62,378 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min ✓ Shorter | 19.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 87.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 30.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" ✓ Drier | 36.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 36.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 ✓ Larger | 213,164 |
| Median Age | 34.5 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 60.3% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Anchorage leads 12 of 23 categories. Anchorage wins 12 and Des Moines wins 11. 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 Anchorage to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $170,700 median home), income ($95,731 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and Des Moines, IA are about 2,647 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.