Central, LA 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.
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 7). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 30.8 min). Central leads in median household income ($82,714 vs $60,509).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Central, LA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,781 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $82,714 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 30.8 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 7 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 7.1 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+11.1 | D+10.9 |
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Score
Central, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Population
29,781
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
7
Median Income
$82,714
Southeast
View Central, LA →
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 →