Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Tempe, AZ
🏆 Tempe 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 ✓ Larger
Tempe
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.9
Median Household Income
$72,022 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
181,005
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $211k less ($170,700 vs $382,100)
Rent averages $477/mo less ($995 vs $1,472)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 106°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Tempe
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Tempe by $9,644/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Tempe, AZ
Pros
33% less violent crime than Des Moines
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $9,644 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $382,100
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Violent crime (470.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2893.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 99.9 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$211k less
$170,700 vs $382,100
Tempe
Median Income
$9,644
$72,022 vs $62,378/yr
Tempe
Violent Crime
33% lower
470.3 vs 703.0 per 100k
Tempe
Summer Heat
20.3°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 99.9 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $382,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,472⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $72,022 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 21.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 16.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Tempe School District (4258) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 181,005 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 29.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 40.7% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 14.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 10.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Tempe's 99.9 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tempe leads 14 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 9 and Tempe 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 Tempe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $382,100 median home), income ($62,378 vs $72,022), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Tempe, AZ are about 1,149 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.