Des Moines, IA vs Harrison, NJ
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
Harrison
58.4
#1955 nationally
Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 38.2 min). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 135). Harrison leads in median household income ($72,773 vs $60,509).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Harrison, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 58.4 (#1955) |
| Population | 214,133 | 20,520 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $586,684 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $72,773 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 38.2 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | N/A |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+28.1 |
Data coverage note: Harrison is missing data for 1 metric that Des Moines has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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 →
F
58.4 Score
Harrison, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$586,684
Population
20,520
Crime
Moderate
Median Income
$72,773
Northeast
View Harrison, NJ →
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