Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Des Moines, Washington is a medium-sized city with a population of 31,983 inhabitants. Des Moines has a population density of 4,988 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. An important consideration when living in Des Moines is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 30 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Des Moines could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Washington if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Des Moines and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Des Moines to Washington and the national average.
The livability score in Des Moines is 78 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 93rd percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Des Moines could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Des Moines also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Des Moines ranks well for employment (A-) and housing (A). The bad news for Des Moines, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (D) and cost of living (F).
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Des Moines market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Assuming that Des Moines meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Des Moines. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Des Moines are simply unattainable. The median home price for Des Moines homes is $379,300, which is 40.8% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Des Moines, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.4, which is 25.6% higher than the Washington average.
| Statistic | Des Moines | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.7% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.3% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 6.3% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.8% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.0% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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