Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Raleigh, NC
🏆 Raleigh leads 14 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164
Raleigh
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,631 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
465,517 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $176k less ($170,700 vs $347,000)
Rent averages $376/mo less ($995 vs $1,371)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 91°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Raleigh
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Raleigh by $16,253/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.5%)
Raleigh, NC
Pros
30% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $16,253 more per year on average
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,000
Higher rents — median is $1,371/mo
Violent crime (488.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2819.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$176k less
$170,700 vs $347,000
Raleigh
Median Income
$16,253
$78,631 vs $62,378/yr
Raleigh
Violent Crime
30% lower
488.8 vs 703.0 per 100k
Raleigh
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.5% vs 5.9% unemployment
Raleigh
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.6°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $347,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,371⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $78,631 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 23.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 20.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Wake County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 90.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 49.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 4.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 465,517 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 51.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Raleigh's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Raleigh leads 14 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 9 and Raleigh wins 14. 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 Raleigh or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $347,000 median home), income ($62,378 vs $78,631), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Raleigh, NC are about 898 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.