Cornelius, 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.
Cornelius
71.7
#962 nationally
Des Moines
80.8
#61 nationally
Cornelius leads in median household income ($107,969 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in walk score (45 vs 26). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 122).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cornelius, NC | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#962) | 80.8 (#61) |
| Population | 33,139 | 214,133 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $528,679 | $212,006 |
| Median Household Income | $107,969 | $60,509 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 2.8 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+10.9 |
C-
71.7 Score
Cornelius, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$528,679
Population
33,139
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Southeast
View Cornelius, 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 →
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