Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Yuma, AZ
🏆 Des Moines leads 12 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Yuma
Arizona
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4
Median Household Income
$59,312
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
96,314
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.9%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 107°F
More college-educated — 28.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $16k less ($170,700 vs $186,500)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Smaller class sizes — 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio
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
Yuma, AZ
Pros
40% less violent crime than Des Moines
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 31°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
Cons
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 5.9%)
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Median income trails Des Moines by $3,066/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 93.4 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Income
$3,066
$62,378 vs $59,312/yr
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$16k less
$170,700 vs $186,500
Des Moines
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.7% unemployment
Yuma
Violent Crime
40% lower
423.6 vs 703.0 per 100k
Yuma
Summer Heat
21.1°F warmer
July avg high 106.7°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Yuma, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 93.4 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $186,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,028 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 ✓ Higher | $59,312 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min | 17.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C- (70) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% ✓ Higher | 20.3% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 83.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Yuma Elementary District (4499) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 106.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 3.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 96,314 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 32.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 64.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 25.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Yuma's 93.4 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 12 and Yuma wins 11. 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 Yuma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $186,500 median home), income ($62,378 vs $59,312), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Yuma, AZ are about 1,307 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.