Des Moines, IA vs Zachary, LA
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
Zachary
73.7
#694 nationally
Zachary leads in median household income ($88,811 vs $60,509). Des Moines leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 27.6 min). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (88 vs 107).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Zachary, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#61) | 73.7 (#694) |
| Population | 214,133 | 19,968 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $212,006 | $269,521 |
| Median Household Income | $60,509 | $88,811 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | N/A |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 9.1 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+11.1 |
Data coverage note: Zachary 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
73.7 Score
Zachary, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$269,521
Population
19,968
Crime
Moderate
Median Income
$88,811
Southeast
View Zachary, LA →
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