Performance
Score Breakdown
Prattville
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prattville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Prattville's average rent is
89% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,407 | $744 | +89% |
| Groceries | $400 | $600 | -33% |
| Utilities | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Transport | $120 | $800 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $500 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,357 | $2,794 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 5% 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 Prattville is estimated at
$56,280 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,379 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $56,280 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,460 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $81,337 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Prattville.
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 | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 18.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Prattville.
From a growth perspective, Prattville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prattville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,200 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.96% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prattville
Advantages
Cost of living is significantly lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
High livability score of 75 out of 100, ranking in the 88th percentile of U.S. cities.
Low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a strong job market.
Highly rated public schools and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Access to quality healthcare services through Prattville Baptist Hospital, recognized for patient safety.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability (Walk Score 18) and minimal public transit options.
Average commute time of 27 minutes is slightly above the national average.
Limited amenities compared to larger metropolitan areas, receiving a 'D' rating in some assessments.
Some reports indicate a noticeable smell from a paper factory in town.
While growing, the community may have fewer events targeted at teens or young adults compared to larger cities.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Prattville
#14Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,407
Avg Salary
$51,379
Cost Index
91
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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