Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Des Moines leads 14 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164
Minneapolis
Minnesota
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
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 $328,700)
39% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Rent averages $272/mo less ($995 vs $1,267)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Minneapolis
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Minneapolis by $13,954/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Households earn $13,954 more per year on average
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $328,700
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
39% lower
703.0 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$158k less
$170,700 vs $328,700
Minneapolis
Median Income
$13,954
$76,332 vs $62,378/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $328,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 14 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 14 and Minneapolis wins 9. 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $328,700 median home), income ($62,378 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Minneapolis, MN are about 235 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.