Des Moines, WA vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 133). Des Moines leads in median household income ($81,362 vs $65,891). Phoenix leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 31,988 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →