Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Suffolk leads 14 of 22 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98 ✓ Safer
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $144k less ($170,700 vs $314,400)
Rent averages $381/mo less ($995 vs $1,376)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Suffolk
Cons
Median income trails Suffolk by $25,380/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
Suffolk, VA
Pros
47% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $25,380 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 32.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $314,400
Higher rents — median is $1,376/mo
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$144k less
$170,700 vs $314,400
Suffolk
Median Income
$25,380
$87,758 vs $62,378/yr
Suffolk
Violent Crime
47% lower
371.0 vs 703.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $314,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,376⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 14.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 49.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 5.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Suffolk leads 14 of 22 categories. Des Moines wins 8 and Suffolk 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 Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $314,400 median home), income ($62,378 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Suffolk, VA are about 968 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.