Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Meridian, ID
🏆 Meridian leads 17 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Meridian
Idaho
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4
Median Household Income
$93,296 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
119,872
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $255k less ($170,700 vs $425,800)
Rent averages $553/mo less ($995 vs $1,548)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Meridian by $30,918/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 2.7%)
Meridian, ID
Pros
79% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $30,918 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (2.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (146.8 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 43.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $425,800
Higher rents — median is $1,548/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 93.4 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$255k less
$170,700 vs $425,800
Meridian
Median Income
$30,918
$93,296 vs $62,378/yr
Meridian
Violent Crime
79% lower
146.8 vs 703.0 per 100k
Meridian
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
2.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
Meridian
Summer Heat
7.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 93.4 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $425,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,548⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $93,296 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 2.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 14.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 27 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 43.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 96.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 38.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 12.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 18.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 119,872 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 76.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 27.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Meridian's 93.4 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Meridian leads 17 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 6 and Meridian wins 17. 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 Meridian or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $425,800 median home), income ($62,378 vs $93,296), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Meridian, ID are about 1,164 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.