Performance
Score Breakdown
Airdrie
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Airdrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Airdrie's average rent is
47% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Airdrie | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,095 | $744 | +47% |
| Groceries | $365 | $600 | -39% |
| Utilities | $219 | $150 | +46% |
| Transport | $182 | $800 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $109 | $500 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $1,970 | $2,794 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 32% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Airdrie is estimated at
$58,400 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Airdrie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,938 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $58,400 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Airdrie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Airdrie.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Airdrie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Airdrie.
From a growth perspective, Airdrie 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 | Airdrie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,544 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.34% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 11.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Airdrie
Advantages
Airdrie has a high population growth rate of 4.34% year-over-year, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income in Airdrie is $80,300 USD, which is higher than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 25 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance for many residents.
Airdrie offers a diverse job market with prominent opportunities in retail, healthcare, construction, and logistics.
The city has a young population with an average age of 34.8, fostering a vibrant and energetic community.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Airdrie is 11.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is a challenge, with median home prices requiring an income significantly above the city's median household income.
Rental costs in Airdrie are notably high, often exceeding those in the larger Calgary metropolitan area.
The city has a high car dependency, with limited public transit options, potentially leading to higher transportation costs.
Airdrie lacks a major acute care hospital, requiring residents to travel to Calgary for specialized medical services.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Airdrie
#4Alberta, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,095
Avg Salary
$36,938
Cost Index
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.34%
Unemployment
11.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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