Performance
Score Breakdown
Gujranwala
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gujranwala is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
75% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gujranwala's average rent is
93% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Gujranwala | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $54 | $744 | -93% |
| Groceries | $400 | $600 | -33% |
| Utilities | $160 | $150 | +7% |
| Transport | $90 | $800 | -89% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $500 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $704 | $2,794 | -75% |
| Cost Index | 30 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 99% 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 Gujranwala is estimated at
$425 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Gujranwala | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $570 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $425 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,900 idx | 59,034 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gujranwala | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 53.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Gujranwala has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
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 | Gujranwala | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gujranwala is the larger city
— approximately 13x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Gujranwala 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 | Gujranwala | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,793,969 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.62% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | |
| Unemployment | 5.42% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gujranwala
Advantages
Gujranwala is a major industrial hub, contributing significantly to Pakistan's GDP.
The cost of living in Gujranwala is remarkably low compared to global standards.
The city has experienced a significant reduction in organized and property-related crimes in 2025.
Gujranwala offers a diverse and evolving culinary scene with affordable local options.
The city has good road and rail connectivity, making it easily accessible.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, particularly in certain areas and during peak hours.
Specific, recent data for several key demographic and economic metrics (e.g., median age, median household income) is not readily available.
While overall cost of living is low, some categories like groceries and restaurants can be more expensive than the national average.
The perceived quality of healthcare, as indicated by a low index, suggests potential areas for improvement.
Some older food establishments may have hygiene concerns.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gujranwala
#2Punjab, Pakistan
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$54
Avg Salary
$570
Cost Index
30
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.62%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
65
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Gujranwala and Des Moines.
Open Cost Calculator