Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Lewisville, TX
🏆 Lewisville leads 14 of 22 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
Lewisville
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,006 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
49 ✓ Safer
Population
125,028
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $158k less ($170,700 vs $328,300)
Rent averages $460/mo less ($995 vs $1,455)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Lewisville
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 95°F
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lewisville by $19,628/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.8%)
Lewisville, TX
Pros
73% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $19,628 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (187.4 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 40.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $328,300
Higher rents — median is $1,455/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$158k less
$170,700 vs $328,300
Lewisville
Median Income
$19,628
$82,006 vs $62,378/yr
Lewisville
Violent Crime
73% lower
187.4 vs 703.0 per 100k
Lewisville
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Lewisville
Summer Heat
9.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.3°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lewisville, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $328,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,455⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $82,006 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 13.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 40.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 89.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | LEWISVILLE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 55.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 95.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 36.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 125,028 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 34.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 45.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 23.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 9.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Lewisville's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lewisville leads 14 of 22 categories. Des Moines wins 8 and Lewisville wins 14. 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 Lewisville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $328,300 median home), income ($62,378 vs $82,006), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Lewisville, TX are about 617 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.