Des Moines, IA vs McKinney, TX
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
McKinney
73.5
#726 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 24). McKinney leads in median household income ($108,542 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 73.5 (#726) |
| Population | 214,133 | 208,867 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $480,265 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $108,542 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 24 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Very Low |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 8.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 111 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | R+11.2 |
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
73.5 Score
McKinney, TX
Historic downtown meets modern growth
Median Home
$480,265
Population
208,867
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View McKinney, TX →