Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
San Marcos, CA
🏆 San Marcos 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
San Marcos
California
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,413 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
59 ✓ Safer
Population
94,360
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $558k less ($170,700 vs $728,800)
Rent averages $1069/mo less ($995 vs $2,064)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than San Marcos
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Smaller class sizes — 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Marcos by $37,035/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 4.2%)
San Marcos, CA
Pros
Households earn $37,035 more per year on average
68% less violent crime than Des Moines
Violent crime is well below the national average (222.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 41.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $728,800
Higher rents — median is $2,064/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Des Moines
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$558k less
$170,700 vs $728,800
San Marcos
Median Income
$37,035
$99,413 vs $62,378/yr
San Marcos
Violent Crime
68% lower
222.4 vs 703.0 per 100k
San Marcos
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $728,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $2,064⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $99,413 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 26.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 16.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 31 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 41.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 87.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | San Marcos Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 87.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 13.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 94,360 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 61.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 25.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 13.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs San Marcos's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Marcos leads 17 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 6 and San Marcos 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 San Marcos or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $728,800 median home), income ($62,378 vs $99,413), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and San Marcos, CA are about 1,413 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.