Best for affordability: West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa looks like the easiest place here to live with less financial drag. It comes out ahead on rent burden and rent.
Demand-Backed Comparison
Compare West Des Moines vs Columbia on cost, climate, safety, and daily life
People have logged this comparison 1 times on WhyThere. The cards open full city pages. The charts and matrix below are the fast side-by-side read on housing, climate, walkability, safety, schools, parks, and day-to-day tradeoffs.
West Des MoinesColumbia
What Stands Out
A quick read on this comparison
Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.
Potential dealbreaker: Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on walkability.
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Comparison Matrix
| City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | ||
| General Info | ||
| Population | 64,113 | 129,330 |
| Population Density | N/A | 1.9k /sq mi |
| Elevation | 827 ft(252 m) | 705 ft(215 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | ||
| Median Home | $313,441 | $311,466 |
| Median Rent | $1,292 | $1,318 |
| Median Income | $82,345 | $60,455 |
| Rent Burden | 19% | 26% |
| Climate & Risks | ||
| Sunny Days | N/A | 299 days/yr |
| Avg. High | N/A | 67°F |
| Comfort Score | N/A | 57/100Mixed |
| Temp Swing | N/A | 48°F |
| Annual Rainfall | N/A | 42"(107 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | N/A | 7"(18 cm) |
| Air Quality | N/A | AQI 40 (Avg)0 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | ||
| Walk Score | N/A | 20 |
| Safety Score | 0 (Crime Index) | 65 / 100 |
| School Rating | 6.4/10 | 4.3/10 |
| Flood Risk (FEMA) | N/A | minimalMinimal Risk |
| Fire Risk (FEMA) | N/A | minimalMinimal |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 40%Cable: 98% | Fiber: 50%Cable: 87% |
| Demographics | ||
| Median Age | 36.2 years | 28.8 years |
| College Educated | 54% | 55% |
| Remote Workers | 14% | 8% |
| Nature Access | ||
| Local Nature & Reserves | Finding... | Finding... |
| Scouting & Local Help | ||
Plan a first lookWays to plan a first visit or connect with a relevant local partner. | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in West Des Moines | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Columbia |
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