Central, LA vs Des Moines, WA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (41 vs 7). Central leads in cost of living index (107 vs 133). Central leads in crime level (7.1 vs 8.1).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Central, LA | Des Moines, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,781 | 31,988 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $607,792 |
| Median Household Income | $82,714 | $81,362 |
| Average Commute | 30.8 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 7 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+11.1 | D+51.7 |
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Score
Central, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Population
29,781
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
7
Median Income
$82,714
Southeast
View Central, LA →
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →