Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Lakewood, CO
🏆 Des Moines leads 12 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Lakewood
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,786 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
207⚠ High
Population
156,149
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $323k less ($170,700 vs $494,100)
Rent averages $670/mo less ($995 vs $1,665)
11% less violent crime than Lakewood
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Lakewood
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lakewood by $20,408/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.4%)
Lakewood, CO
Pros
Households earn $20,408 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.4%)
More college-educated — 44.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $494,100
Higher rents — median is $1,665/mo
Violent crime (787.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
11% lower
703.0 vs 787.2 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$323k less
$170,700 vs $494,100
Lakewood
Median Income
$20,408
$82,786 vs $62,378/yr
Lakewood
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.4% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lakewood, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $494,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,665⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $82,786 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 16.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 221⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 207⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 44.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 44.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 85.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 17.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" ✓ Less | 58.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 156,149 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 58.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Lakewood's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 12 and Lakewood wins 11. 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 Lakewood or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $494,100 median home), income ($62,378 vs $82,786), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Lakewood, CO are about 617 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.