Clayton, NC 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.
Clayton
67.4
#1425 nationally
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 31.5 min). Clayton leads in median household income ($71,698 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 103).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Clayton, NC | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1425) | 80.8 (#61) |
| Population | 30,216 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $365,680 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $71,698 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 31.5 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 45 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.5 | D+10.9 |
Data coverage note: Clayton is missing data for 1 metric that Des Moines has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D+
67.4 Score
Clayton, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$365,680
Population
30,216
Crime
Moderate-Low
Median Income
$71,698
Southeast
View Clayton, NC →
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 →