Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Durham leads 14 of 23 categories
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
Durham
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $146k less ($170,700 vs $316,600)
Rent averages $301/mo less ($995 vs $1,296)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Durham
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Durham by $12,332/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.3%)
Durham, NC
Pros
12% less violent crime than Des Moines
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $12,332 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.3%)
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 96.6 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$146k less
$170,700 vs $316,600
Durham
Median Income
$12,332
$74,710 vs $62,378/yr
Durham
Violent Crime
12% lower
619.2 vs 703.0 per 100k
Durham
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 96.6 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $74,710 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 87.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 5.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 284,094 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 52.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 20.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 12.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Durham leads 14 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 9 and Durham wins 14. 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 Des Moines to Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $316,600 median home), income ($62,378 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Durham, NC are about 880 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.