Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Kirkland, WA
🏆 Kirkland leads 13 of 22 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 ✓ Larger
Kirkland
Washington
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$135,608 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
16 ✓ Safer
Population
92,015
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $767k less ($170,700 vs $937,700)
Rent averages $1255/mo less ($995 vs $2,250)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than Kirkland
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Median income trails Kirkland by $73,230/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 4.7%)
Kirkland, WA
Pros
Households earn $73,230 more per year on average
91% less violent crime than Des Moines
More college-educated — 62.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (60.6 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (4.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $937,700
Higher rents — median is $2,250/mo
Cost of living runs 20% higher than Des Moines
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
20% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$767k less
$170,700 vs $937,700
Des Moines
Summer Heat
9.1°F warmer
July avg high 85.6°F vs 76.5°F
Kirkland
Median Income
$73,230
$135,608 vs $62,378/yr
Kirkland
Violent Crime
91% lower
60.6 vs 703.0 per 100k
Kirkland
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kirkland, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $937,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $2,250⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $135,608 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 16 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 96.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 37.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 92,015 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 62.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 14.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Kirkland's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 20% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Kirkland leads 13 of 22 categories. Des Moines wins 9 and Kirkland 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 Kirkland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $937,700 median home), income ($62,378 vs $135,608), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Kirkland, WA are about 1,459 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.