Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Oakland, CA
🏆 Des Moines leads 12 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
213,164
Oakland
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,389 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
507⚠ High
Population
437,825 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $713k less ($170,700 vs $883,800)
Rent averages $854/mo less ($995 vs $1,849)
63% less violent crime than Oakland
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Oakland
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Median income trails Oakland by $32,011/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
Oakland, CA
Pros
Households earn $32,011 more per year on average
More college-educated — 48.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 31°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 72°F vs 86°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $883,800
Higher rents — median is $1,849/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Des Moines
Violent crime (1925.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
63% lower
703.0 vs 1925.3 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$713k less
$170,700 vs $883,800
Des Moines
Summer Heat
14.0°F warmer
July avg high 85.6°F vs 71.6°F
Oakland
Median Income
$32,011
$94,389 vs $62,378/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $883,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,849⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $94,389 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 31.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 20.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 507⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 344⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 48.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 85.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Oakland Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer | 71.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 22.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 437,825 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 14.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Oakland's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 12 and Oakland wins 11. 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 Oakland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $883,800 median home), income ($62,378 vs $94,389), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Oakland, CA are about 1,537 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.