Des Moines, WA vs Mountain View, CA
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
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 285). Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $81,362). Mountain View leads in walk score (66 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 31,988 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 66 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+40.0 |
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 →
D
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
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