Des Moines, IA vs Garden City, 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
Garden City
80.2
#88 nationally
Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 26.7 min). Garden City leads in walk score (50 vs 45). Garden City leads in median household income ($63,630 vs $60,509).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Garden City, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 80.2 (#88) |
| Population | 214,133 | 26,325 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $207,556 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $63,630 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 50 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 7.7 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 91 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+29.0 |
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 →
B-
80.2 Score
Garden City, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$207,556
Population
26,325
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
50
Midwest
View Garden City, MI →
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