Benton, AR 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.
Benton
73.9
#655 nationally
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 17). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 22.7 min). Benton leads in median household income ($66,868 vs $60,509).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Benton, AR | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.9 (#655) | 80.8 (#61) |
| Population | 37,558 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $241,204 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $66,868 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 22.7 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 17 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 11.3 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+40.1 | D+10.9 |
C
73.9 Score
Benton, AR
Small Arkansas city with local appeal
Median Home
$241,204
Population
37,558
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
17
Southwest
View Benton, AR →
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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Benton for: