Ann Arbor, MI vs West Des Moines, IA
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.
Ann Arbor
72.9
#803 nationally
West Des Moines
77.1
#283 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 34). West Des Moines leads in average commute (17.8 min vs 20.8 min). West Des Moines leads in median household income ($82,345 vs $73,018).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 77.1 (#283) |
| Population | 123,851 | 72,205 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $325,031 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $82,345 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 34 |
| Crime Level | Low | 4.5 |
| School Rating | 8.9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | D+10.9 |
C-
72.9 Score
Ann Arbor, MI
A quintessential college town with big-city culture
Median Home
$536,036
Population
123,851
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Midwest
View Ann Arbor, MI →
C+
77.1 Score
West Des Moines, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$325,031
Population
72,205
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View West Des Moines, IA →
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