Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Quincy leads 12 of 23 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
Quincy
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $393k less ($170,700 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $906/mo less ($995 vs $1,901)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.9%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Median income trails Quincy by $28,290/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
Quincy, MA
Pros
52% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $28,290 more per year on average
More college-educated — 46.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Des Moines
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$393k less
$170,700 vs $563,200
Des Moines
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.7% unemployment
Quincy
Median Income
$28,290
$90,668 vs $62,378/yr
Quincy
Violent Crime
52% lower
335.1 vs 703.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Quincy, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 46.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 37.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" ✓ Less | 50.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 43.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Quincy leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 11 and Quincy wins 12. 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 Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $563,200 median home), income ($62,378 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Quincy, MA are about 1,160 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.