Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington 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 ✓ Safer
Population
213,164
Washington
District of Columbia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $534k less ($170,700 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $822/mo less ($995 vs $1,817)
24% less violent crime than Washington
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.9%)
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $39,344/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
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $39,344 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 31°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Violent Crime
24% lower
703.0 vs 925.9 per 100k
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$534k less
$170,700 vs $705,000
Des Moines
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Median Income
$39,344
$101,722 vs $62,378/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Washington leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 11 and Washington 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $705,000 median home), income ($62,378 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Washington, DC are about 893 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.