Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Gilbert, AZ
🏆 Gilbert leads 17 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164
Gilbert
Arizona
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $284k less ($170,700 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $844/mo less ($995 vs $1,839)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 104°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $52,801/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 3.5%)
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $52,801 more per year on average
81% less violent crime than Des Moines
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (3.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Des Moines
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$284k less
$170,700 vs $454,300
Gilbert
Median Income
$52,801
$115,179 vs $62,378/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
81% lower
132.2 vs 703.0 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.9% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
18.6°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gilbert, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 102.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $454,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,839⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $115,179 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 3.5% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 26.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 20.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 46 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 47.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 96.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Gilbert Unified District (4239) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 8.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 267,267 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 74.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 29.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Gilbert's 102.5 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 17 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 6 and Gilbert wins 17. 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 Gilbert or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $454,300 median home), income ($62,378 vs $115,179), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Gilbert, AZ are about 1,144 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.