Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Kansas City, MO
🏆 Kansas City leads 13 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164
Kansas City
Missouri
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$65,256 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
407⚠ High
Population
505,958 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
55% less violent crime than Kansas City
Homes cost $38k less ($170,700 vs $208,900)
Rent averages $136/mo less ($995 vs $1,131)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
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 4.8%)
Median income trails Kansas City by $2,878/yr
Kansas City, MO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.8%)
More college-educated — 37.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 31°F
Households earn $2,878 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (1547.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4676.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
55% lower
703.0 vs 1547.1 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$38k less
$170,700 vs $208,900
Kansas City
Median Income
$2,878
$65,256 vs $62,378/yr
Kansas City
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Kansas City
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $208,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,131 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $65,256 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 12.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 333⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 407⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 223⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 37.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KANSAS CITY 33 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 38.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 11.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 505,958 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 54.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Kansas City's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Kansas City leads 13 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 10 and Kansas City wins 13. 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 Kansas City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $208,900 median home), income ($62,378 vs $65,256), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Kansas City, MO are about 176 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.