Des Moines, IA vs Phenix City, AL
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
Phenix City
72.3
#910 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 24). Des Moines leads in median household income ($60,509 vs $46,944). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 21.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phenix City, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 72.3 (#910) |
| Population | 214,133 | 38,441 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $212,499 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $46,944 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 24 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 21.3 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 90 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | R+27.8 |
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-
72.3 Score
Phenix City, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$212,499
Population
38,441
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Southeast
View Phenix City, AL →
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