Des Moines, IA vs Melissa, TX
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
Melissa
74.8
#551 nationally
Melissa leads in median household income ($138,465 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 32.6 min). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 125).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Melissa, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 74.8 (#551) |
| Population | 214,133 | 23,571 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $430,394 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $138,465 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 32.6 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | N/A |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.0 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | R+11.2 |
Data coverage note: Melissa 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 →
C
74.8 Score
Melissa, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$430,394
Population
23,571
Crime
Very Low
Median Income
$138,465
Southwest
View Melissa, TX →