Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Des Moines leads 14 of 21 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Worcester
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $135k less ($170,700 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $317/mo less ($995 vs $1,312)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.9%)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
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
Worcester, MA
Pros
98% less violent crime than Des Moines
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 86°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Des Moines
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$135k less
$170,700 vs $305,600
Des Moines
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.6% unemployment
Des Moines
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 85.6°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$633
$63,011 vs $62,378/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
98% lower
16.5 vs 703.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 32.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 204,191 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 14 of 21 categories. Des Moines wins 14 and Worcester wins 7. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $305,600 median home), income ($62,378 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Worcester, MA are about 1,119 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.