Des Moines, WA vs Paramus, NJ
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
Paramus
67.9
#1371 nationally
Paramus leads in crime level (0.8 vs 8.1). Paramus leads in median household income ($136,824 vs $81,362). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 173).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Paramus, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 67.9 (#1371) |
| Population | 31,988 | 26,282 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $1,086,056 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $136,824 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 31 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | 0.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+3.4 |
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+
67.9 Score
Paramus, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,086,056
Population
26,282
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
37
Northeast
View Paramus, NJ →