Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Longmont, CO
🏆 Longmont 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
Longmont
Colorado
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$89,720 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
98,282
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $317k less ($170,700 vs $488,100)
Rent averages $694/mo less ($995 vs $1,689)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Longmont
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 91°F
Cons
Median income trails Longmont by $27,342/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 4.1%)
Longmont, CO
Pros
Households earn $27,342 more per year on average
33% less violent crime than Des Moines
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $488,100
Higher rents — median is $1,689/mo
Violent crime (469.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$317k less
$170,700 vs $488,100
Longmont
Median Income
$27,342
$89,720 vs $62,378/yr
Longmont
Violent Crime
33% lower
469.3 vs 703.0 per 100k
Longmont
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.9% unemployment
Longmont
Summer Heat
5.2°F warmer
July avg high 90.8°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Longmont, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 103.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $488,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,689⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $89,720 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 17.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 46.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 44.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 90.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 16.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" ✓ Less | 47.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 98,282 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 63.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 20.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 17.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Longmont's 103.4 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Longmont leads 15 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 8 and Longmont 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 Longmont or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $488,100 median home), income ($62,378 vs $89,720), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Longmont, CO are about 608 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.