Des Moines, IA vs Eau Claire, WI
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
80.8
#61 nationally
Eau Claire
75.6
#434 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 36). Eau Claire leads in average commute (16.3 min vs 19.2 min). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 97).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eau Claire, WI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 75.6 (#434) |
| Population | 214,133 | 70,542 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $322,318 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $63,882 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 16.3 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 36 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 4.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+10.6 |
B-
80.8 Score
Des Moines, IA
Insurance capital with surprising vibrancy
Median Home
$212,006
Population
214,133
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Des Moines, IA →
C
75.6 Score
Eau Claire, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$322,318
Population
70,542
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View Eau Claire, WI →
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