Performance
Score Breakdown
Dera Ghazi Khan
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dera Ghazi Khan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
88% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dera Ghazi Khan's average rent is
88% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Dera Ghazi Khan | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $90 | $744 | -88% |
| Groceries | $104 | $600 | -83% |
| Utilities | $35 | $150 | -77% |
| Transport | $23 | $800 | -97% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $500 | -85% |
| Monthly Total | $327 | $2,794 | -88% |
| Cost Index | 12 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 100% 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 Dera Ghazi Khan is estimated at
$260 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Dera Ghazi Khan | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $169 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $260 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,408 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $143 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dera Ghazi Khan | 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% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Dera Ghazi Khan.
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 | Dera Ghazi Khan | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dera Ghazi Khan is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Dera Ghazi Khan 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 | Dera Ghazi Khan | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 541,000 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.85% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | |
| Unemployment | 5.42% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dera Ghazi Khan
Advantages
Extremely low cost of living, making it highly affordable compared to global averages.
Rich cultural heritage with a blend of Baloch and Saraiki traditions, offering vibrant festivals and traditional arts.
Significant natural beauty, including the Sulaiman Mountains and Indus River, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and serene escapes.
Developing public transportation network, including new electric bus services launched in 2025, enhancing mobility within the city.
Predominantly agricultural economy with growing small and medium enterprises in textiles, food processing, and handicrafts, offering diverse economic activities.
Drawbacks
Median household income is very low, posing economic challenges for residents.
Public healthcare facilities are sometimes inadequate and sparsely distributed, leading to high out-of-pocket costs for medical care.
Lack of readily available detailed data on specific crime rates, median age, and unemployment for the city, making comprehensive analysis difficult.
Summers are long, sweltering, and humid with very high temperatures, which can be challenging for residents.
Limited modern entertainment and lifestyle options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dera Ghazi Khan
#6Punjab, Pakistan
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$90
Avg Salary
$169
Cost Index
12
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.85%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
55
Business
50
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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