Brandon, MS 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.
Brandon
77.5
#239 nationally
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 11). Brandon leads in median household income ($89,051 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 25.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brandon, MS | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.5 (#239) | 80.8 (#61) |
| Population | 25,719 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $291,089 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $89,051 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 11 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 2.4 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+47.1 | D+10.9 |
C+
77.5 Score
Brandon, MS
Small Mississippi city with local appeal
Median Home
$291,089
Population
25,719
Crime
Low
Walk Score
11
Southeast
View Brandon, MS →
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 →