Des Moines, WA vs Ontario, 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
Ontario
63.8
#1740 nationally
Ontario leads in walk score (48 vs 41). Ontario leads in crime level (7.5 vs 8.1). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 143).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Ontario, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 63.8 (#1740) |
| Population | 31,988 | 182,457 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $671,649 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $78,070 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 143 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | R+2.1 |
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
63.8 Score
Ontario, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$671,649
Population
182,457
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Ontario, CA →