Des Moines, WA vs Los Angeles, CA
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
64.6
#1684 nationally
Los Angeles
60.9
#1917 nationally
Los Angeles leads in walk score (68 vs 41). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 173). Des Moines leads in median household income ($81,362 vs $74,891).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 60.9 (#1917) |
| Population | 31,988 | 3,822,238 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $946,268 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $74,891 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 31.4 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+32.9 |
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →
D-
60.9 Score
Los Angeles, CA
Entertainment capital of the world
Median Home
$946,268
Population
3,822,238
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Los Angeles, CA →
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