Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Houston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
61% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Houston | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,199 | $744 | +61% |
| Groceries | $400 | $600 | -33% |
| Utilities | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Transport | $120 | $800 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $500 | -70% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $2,794 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 81% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Houston | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,122 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 101,157 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $64,361 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Houston 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 | Houston | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 77.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 11.2x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines 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 | Houston | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,390,125 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $697.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
Houston's cost of living is below the national average, particularly for housing.
The city boasts a strong and diversified job market with significant growth in sectors like energy, healthcare, and construction.
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise.
The metropolitan area's GDP reached a record $697 billion in 2023, leading major U.S. metros in two-year GDP growth.
New business announcements increased by 30% in 2024, indicating a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
Drawbacks
Houston experiences hot and humid summers with a heat index frequently reaching 100-110°F or higher.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, with commuters losing an average of 77 hours due to delays in 2024.
The city has a high crime rate compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
Houston is highly car-dependent, with public transportation not being the primary mode of transit for most residents.
While homicides decreased in 2024, overall violent crime increased by 4.57% from 2023 to 2024.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#31Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,199
Avg Salary
$98,122
Cost Index
97
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
78
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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