Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Miramar, FL
🏆 Des Moines leads 11 of 20 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Miramar
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$81,812 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
135,158
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $208k less ($170,700 vs $378,200)
Rent averages $845/mo less ($995 vs $1,840)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Miramar
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 91°F
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Miramar by $19,434/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.2%)
Miramar, FL
Pros
Households earn $19,434 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 77°F vs 31°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $378,200
Higher rents — median is $1,840/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Des Moines
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$208k less
$170,700 vs $378,200
Miramar
Median Income
$19,434
$81,812 vs $62,378/yr
Miramar
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Miramar
Summer Heat
5.2°F warmer
July avg high 90.8°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miramar, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $378,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,840⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $81,812 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 6.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 30.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 76.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 90.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 67.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 135,158 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 69.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 22.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Miramar's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 11 of 20 categories. Des Moines wins 11 and Miramar 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 Miramar or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $378,200 median home), income ($62,378 vs $81,812), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Miramar, FL are about 1,317 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.