Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Macon-Bibb County, GA
🏆 Des Moines leads 13 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7
Median Household Income
$62,378 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Macon-Bibb County
Georgia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,897
Violent Crime Index
394⚠ High
Population
156,554
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
53% less violent crime than Macon-Bibb County
Households earn $13,481 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.9%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 94°F
Cons
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
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Macon-Bibb County
Macon-Bibb County, GA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 31°F
Homes cost $16k less ($155,200 vs $170,700)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Des Moines
Cons
Violent crime (1497.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Des Moines by $13,481/yr
Property crime (3808.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 5.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Median Income
$13,481
$62,378 vs $48,897/yr
Des Moines
Violent Crime
53% lower
703.0 vs 1497.8 per 100k
Des Moines
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.5% unemployment
Macon-Bibb County
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 92.7 (100 = US avg)
Macon-Bibb County
Median Home Value
$16k less
$155,200 vs $170,700
Macon-Bibb County
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon-Bibb County, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 | $155,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 | $967 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 ✓ Higher | $48,897 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 21.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 309⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 394⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% ✓ Higher | 25.9% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 86.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Bibb County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 156,554 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 52.6% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 24.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Macon-Bibb County's 90.0 (US average = 100).
Macon-Bibb County is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 13 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 13 and Macon-Bibb County wins 10. 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 Macon-Bibb County or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $155,200 median home), income ($62,378 vs $48,897), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Macon-Bibb County, GA are about 814 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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