Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
West Jordan, UT
🏆 West Jordan 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 ✓ Larger
West Jordan
Utah
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.5
Median Household Income
$99,002 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
116,383
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $241k less ($170,700 vs $412,100)
Rent averages $494/mo less ($995 vs $1,489)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 94°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than West Jordan
Cons
Median income trails West Jordan by $36,624/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%)
West Jordan, UT
Pros
Households earn $36,624 more per year on average
58% less violent crime than Des Moines
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $412,100
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 98.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$241k less
$170,700 vs $412,100
West Jordan
Median Income
$36,624
$99,002 vs $62,378/yr
West Jordan
Violent Crime
58% lower
294.2 vs 703.0 per 100k
West Jordan
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
West Jordan
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Jordan, UT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 98.5 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $412,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $99,002 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 15.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% ✓ Higher | 27.8% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Jordan District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 20.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" ✓ Less | 55.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 116,383 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 77.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 28.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 8.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs West Jordan's 98.5 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Jordan leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 11 and West Jordan 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 West Jordan or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $412,100 median home), income ($62,378 vs $99,002), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and West Jordan, UT are about 958 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.