Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
New Braunfels, TX
🏆 New Braunfels 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
New Braunfels
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7
Median Household Income
$85,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
92,993
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $120k less ($170,700 vs $290,800)
Rent averages $431/mo less ($995 vs $1,426)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 93°F
Cons
Median income trails New Braunfels by $23,449/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 3.8%)
New Braunfels, TX
Pros
78% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $23,449 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (156.4 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 38.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,426/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 93.7 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$120k less
$170,700 vs $290,800
New Braunfels
Median Income
$23,449
$85,827 vs $62,378/yr
New Braunfels
Violent Crime
78% lower
156.4 vs 703.0 per 100k
New Braunfels
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
New Braunfels
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 93.4°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Braunfels, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 93.7 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $290,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,426⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $85,827 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 61 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 38.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | COMAL ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 61.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 93.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 35.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 92,993 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs New Braunfels's 93.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New Braunfels leads 17 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 6 and New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $290,800 median home), income ($62,378 vs $85,827), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and New Braunfels, TX are about 858 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.