Cape Girardeau, MO 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.
Cape Girardeau
74.1
#635 nationally
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 30). Des Moines leads in median household income ($60,509 vs $51,671). Cape Girardeau leads in average commute (16.7 min vs 19.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cape Girardeau, MO | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.1 (#635) | 80.8 (#61) |
| Population | 40,508 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $220,162 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $51,671 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 16.7 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 30 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 17.1 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+46.5 | D+10.9 |
C
74.1 Score
Cape Girardeau, MO
Small Missouri city with local appeal
Median Home
$220,162
Population
40,508
Crime
High
Walk Score
30
Midwest
View Cape Girardeau, MO →
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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