Performance
Score Breakdown
Los Angeles
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
39% higher compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Los Angeles's average rent is
257% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,656 | $744 | +257% |
| Groceries | $550 | $600 | -8% |
| Utilities | $320 | $150 | +113% |
| Transport | $150 | $800 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $500 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $3,876 | $2,794 | +39% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 38% higher 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 Los Angeles is estimated at
$100,000 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $100,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,342 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $90,757 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 68.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 18.1x 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 | Los Angeles | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,869,089 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $760.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
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
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