Performance
Score Breakdown
Al Mamourah
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Al Mamourah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Al Mamourah's average rent is
31% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Al Mamourah | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $797 | $1,162 | -31% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $149 | $180 | -17% |
| Transport | $250 | $90 | +178% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,646 | $2,082 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 55 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 46% 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 Al Mamourah is estimated at
$30,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Al Mamourah | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,784 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,244 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $28,868 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Al Mamourah | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Al Mamourah.
Des Moines 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 | Al Mamourah | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 24.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Al Mamourah.
From a growth perspective, Al Mamourah 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 | Al Mamourah | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 191,753 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Al Mamourah
Advantages
Ras Al Khaimah boasts a very high safety index of 86.35 as of June 2026.
The emirate experienced significant economic growth, with a real GDP growth of 6.7% in 2024.
New business registrations in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) surged by 66% in 2024.
The cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah is considerably more affordable than major UAE cities, with a Cost of Living Index of 54.59 in June 2026.
Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 1.28 million overnight visitors in 2024, indicating a booming tourism sector.
Drawbacks
Summers in Ras Al Khaimah are extremely hot and humid, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 42°C.
The unemployment rate in Ras Al Khaimah was 6.2% in 2024, higher than the national UAE average.
Public transportation options within Ras Al Khaimah are limited, leading to a medium car dependency. [cite: 25, 26, previous search]
Healthcare services, while high quality, can be expensive for expatriates without comprehensive insurance.
Specific city-level demographic data, such as median age and population growth rate, are less readily available than emirate-wide statistics.
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.
Al Mamourah
#2Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$797
Avg Salary
$34,784
Cost Index
55
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
82
Business
85
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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