Performance
Score Breakdown
Al Qusaidat
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% higher compared to Al Qusaidat.
Housing costs are a major driver: Al Qusaidat's average rent is
29% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,162 | +29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $90 | +67% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,480 | $2,082 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 31% 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 Qusaidat is estimated at
$40,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,760 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,862 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $28,860 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 63.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Al Qusaidat.
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 Qusaidat | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 17.90 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Al Qusaidat is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Al Qusaidat is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Al Qusaidat has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Al Qusaidat | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 400,000 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | |
| Unemployment | 2.17% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $13.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Al Qusaidat
Advantages
Ras Al Khaimah recorded a high Safety Index score of 83.8 in 2025, making it one of the safest cities globally.
The cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah is significantly more affordable than in Dubai, with rent being 45.5% less.
Ras Al Khaimah's real GDP is projected to grow by an average of 4% annually from 2024-2027, indicating strong economic prospects.
The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) saw a 44% increase in new company registrations in 2025, highlighting a robust business environment.
The emirate's tourism sector experienced a 5.1% growth in hotel guests in 2024, with significant future expansion planned.
Drawbacks
Specific median age data for Al Qusaidat or Ras Al Khaimah is not readily available from recent sources.
Detailed public transit and walkability scores for Al Qusaidat are not available, suggesting potential reliance on private vehicles.
While overall crime rates are low, specific localized crime data for Al Qusaidat is not detailed in available sources.
The average monthly net salary in Ras Al Khaimah (approx. $3,730 USD) is lower than in major UAE cities like Dubai.
Summers in Ras Al Khaimah are extremely hot and muggy, with daily highs often exceeding 40°C (104°F) and high humidity.
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 Qusaidat
#2Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$44,760
Cost Index
65
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
77
Business
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Al Qusaidat and Des Moines.
Open Cost Calculator