Des Moines, IA vs Niagara Falls, NY
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
Niagara Falls
78.8
#160 nationally
Des Moines leads in median household income ($60,509 vs $45,932). Niagara Falls leads in walk score (51 vs 45). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 92).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Niagara Falls, NY |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 78.8 (#160) |
| Population | 214,133 | 47,599 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $175,991 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $45,932 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 18.8 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 13.7 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | R+14.9 |
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+
78.8 Score
Niagara Falls, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Median Home
$175,991
Population
47,599
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
51
Northeast
View Niagara Falls, NY →
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