Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% higher compared to Toronto.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
45% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Toronto | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,686 | $1,162 | +45% |
| Groceries | $353 | $400 | -12% |
| Utilities | $155 | $180 | -14% |
| Transport | $92 | $90 | +2% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $250 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,386 | $2,082 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 71 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 19% 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 Toronto is estimated at
$55,013 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Toronto | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,898 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,013 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,504 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $59,245 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 71.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 14.5x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Toronto 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 | Toronto | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,025,647 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.90% | % |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 8.90% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with its population surging by 3.9% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The city is a major business hub with a strong job market, particularly in high-demand fields like technology (fintech, AI) and healthcare.
Toronto boasts a highly diverse and multicultural population, with over half of its residents born outside of Canada, contributing to a rich cultural landscape.
The public transit system (TTC) is comprehensive, offering extensive subway, streetcar, and bus networks for easy navigation without a car.
Toronto offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse culinary options, and numerous parks and green spaces for a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $1,479 USD per month as of July 2026.
The unemployment rate in Toronto was elevated at 8.9% in September 2025, higher than both provincial and national averages.
The housing market faces significant affordability challenges, with average home prices reaching $1.05 million CAD in July 2024.
Rapid population growth has strained transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and longer commute times, averaging 32 minutes.
Despite job growth, the influx of workers has outpaced job absorption in some sectors, contributing to the higher unemployment rate.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Toronto
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,686
Avg Salary
$52,898
Cost Index
71
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
78.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.90%
Unemployment
8.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Des Moines
#21Iowa, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Toronto and Des Moines.
Open Cost Calculator