Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Orlando, FL
🏆 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
Orlando
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
307,738 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $162k less ($170,700 vs $332,700)
Rent averages $514/mo less ($995 vs $1,509)
16% less violent crime than Orlando
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
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 5.2%)
Median income trails Orlando by $3,914/yr
Orlando, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 31°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $3,914 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
16% lower
703.0 vs 835.8 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$162k less
$170,700 vs $332,700
Orlando
Median Income
$3,914
$66,292 vs $62,378/yr
Orlando
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Orlando
Summer Heat
6.4°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 101.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $332,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,509⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $66,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 209⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 41.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | ORANGE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 307,738 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 39.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Orlando's 101.1 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 12 and Orlando 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 Orlando or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $332,700 median home), income ($62,378 vs $66,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Orlando, FL are about 1,145 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.