Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Carrollton leads 15 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
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.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
80% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $33,002 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $157k less ($170,700 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $560/mo less ($995 vs $1,555)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $33,002/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 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$33,002
$95,380 vs $62,378/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
80% lower
137.1 vs 703.0 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 85.6°F
Des Moines
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$157k less
$170,700 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $170,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $62,378 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 185⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 87.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 36.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 36.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 213,164 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 15 of 23 categories. Carrollton 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 Carrollton to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $170,700 median home), income ($95,380 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Des Moines, IA are about 620 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.