Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buckeye, AZ
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Buckeye leads 15 of 23 categories
Buckeye
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0
Median Household Income
$94,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
95,042
Des Moines
Iowa
8
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.
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
76% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $31,810 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 31°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $341,700
Higher rents — median is $1,597/mo
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $171k less ($170,700 vs $341,700)
Rent averages $602/mo less ($995 vs $1,597)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 107°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
More college-educated — 28.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Buckeye by $31,810/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 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Buckeye
Median Income
$31,810
$94,188 vs $62,378/yr
Buckeye
Violent Crime
76% lower
166.8 vs 703.0 per 100k
Buckeye
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
Buckeye
Summer Heat
20.9°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 85.6°F
Des Moines
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 100.0 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$171k less
$170,700 vs $341,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buckeye, AZ | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $341,700⚠ High | $170,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,188 ✓ Higher | $62,378 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.5 min⚠ High | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.2% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 41 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 185⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 37 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (72) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.2:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.9% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.2% ✓ Higher | 87.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.1°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.0" ✓ Drier | 36.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 36.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,042 | 213,164 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.3% ✓ Higher | 60.3% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeye's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Buckeye leads 15 of 23 categories. Buckeye wins 15 and Des Moines wins 8. 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 Buckeye to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($341,700 vs $170,700 median home), income ($94,188 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buckeye, AZ and Des Moines, IA are about 1,181 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.