Battle Creek, MI vs 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.
Battle Creek
74.8
#539 nationally
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Des Moines leads in median household income ($60,509 vs $49,684). Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 37). Battle Creek leads in cost of living index (85 vs 88).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Battle Creek, MI | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.8 (#539) | 80.8 (#61) |
| Population | 52,175 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $187,207 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $49,684 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 19.3 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 30.7 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+14.0 | D+10.9 |
C
74.8 Score
Battle Creek, MI
Michigan community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$187,207
Population
52,175
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View Battle Creek, MI →
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 →
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