Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
League City, TX
🏆 League City leads 15 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
League City
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$117,316 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
27 ✓ Safer
Population
113,469
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $142k less ($170,700 vs $312,500)
Rent averages $603/mo less ($995 vs $1,598)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than League City
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 92°F
Cons
Median income trails League City by $54,938/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 4.2%)
League City, TX
Pros
Households earn $54,938 more per year on average
85% less violent crime than Des Moines
Violent crime is well below the national average (103.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 48.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $312,500
Higher rents — median is $1,598/mo
Longer commutes — 29.5 min average each way
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$142k less
$170,700 vs $312,500
League City
Median Income
$54,938
$117,316 vs $62,378/yr
League City
Violent Crime
85% lower
103.5 vs 703.0 per 100k
League City
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
League City
Summer Heat
6.2°F warmer
July avg high 91.8°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | League City, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 100.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $312,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,598⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $117,316 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 38 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 27 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 55 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 48.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 95.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | CLEAR CREEK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 58.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 113,469 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 73.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 26.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs League City's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, League City leads 15 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 8 and League City wins 15. 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 League City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $312,500 median home), income ($62,378 vs $117,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and League City, TX are about 839 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.