Des Moines, IA vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 214,133 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 20 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 4.0 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+25.6 |
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 →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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