Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
St. Paul, MN
🏆 St. Paul 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
St. Paul
Minnesota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,919 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
308,806 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $94k less ($170,700 vs $264,900)
Rent averages $179/mo less ($995 vs $1,174)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than St. Paul
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Milder winters — January highs near 31°F vs 24°F
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
Median income trails St. Paul by $7,541/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 5.0%)
St. Paul, MN
Pros
12% less violent crime than Des Moines
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 42.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $7,541 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (617.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2834.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Des Moines
Snowy winters — about 40" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$94k less
$170,700 vs $264,900
Des Moines
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 85.6°F vs 82.6°F
St. Paul
Median Income
$7,541
$69,919 vs $62,378/yr
St. Paul
Violent Crime
12% lower
617.7 vs 703.0 per 100k
St. Paul
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $264,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,174 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $69,919 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 23.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 15.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 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 | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 42.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 88.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Saint Paul Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F ✓ Warmer | 23.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 29.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 308,806 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 53.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs St. Paul's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, St. Paul leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 11 and St. Paul 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 St. Paul or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $264,900 median home), income ($62,378 vs $69,919), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and St. Paul, MN are about 235 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.