Performance
Score Breakdown
Abbotsford
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% higher compared to Abbotsford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Abbotsford's average rent is
14% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,324 | $1,162 | +14% |
| Groceries | $446 | $400 | +12% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $2,082 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 75 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 48% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Abbotsford is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $33,790 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,053 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $63,306 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Abbotsford.
Abbotsford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Abbotsford.
From a growth perspective, Abbotsford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,976 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.06% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford's crime rates are 35% lower than the British Columbia average.
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 7% lower than the British Columbia average.
Abbotsford was ranked as the third-best city in Canada for livability in a March 2026 study, largely due to its affordability and disposable income.
The city has a strong economic climate and has been recognized as a favorable place to do business.
Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre is a 300-bed facility offering a wide range of healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Abbotsford's walkability score is low (2/10), meaning most destinations require a car.
A March 2026 study noted Abbotsford's safety ranking was lower compared to other major Canadian cities.
The city scores worse or no better in seven of nine indicators related to the healthy built environment.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital have been raised in recent years.
Household incomes have not kept pace with the rising housing costs, which increased significantly between 2016 and 2021.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Abbotsford
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,324
Avg Salary
$33,790
Cost Index
75
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.06%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
73
Business
68
Des Moines
#21Iowa, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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