Des Moines, IA vs East Lansing, MI
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
East Lansing
72.8
#823 nationally
Des Moines leads in median household income ($60,509 vs $44,094). East Lansing leads in walk score (54 vs 45). East Lansing leads in average commute (16.1 min vs 19.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | East Lansing, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 72.8 (#823) |
| Population | 214,133 | 48,528 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $328,740 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $44,094 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 16.1 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.0 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+29.7 |
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 →
C-
72.8 Score
East Lansing, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$328,740
Population
48,528
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View East Lansing, MI →
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