Pontiac, MI vs West Des Moines, IA
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.
Pontiac
75
#522 nationally
West Des Moines
77.1
#283 nationally
West Des Moines leads in crime level (4.5 vs 27.0). West Des Moines leads in median household income ($82,345 vs $40,307). Pontiac leads in cost of living index (84 vs 103).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Pontiac, MI | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#522) | 77.1 (#283) |
| Population | 61,689 | 72,205 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $140,484 | $325,031 |
| Median Household Income | $40,307 | $82,345 |
| Average Commute | 21.7 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 27.0 | 4.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.6 | D+10.9 |
C
75 Score
Pontiac, MI
Michigan community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$140,484
Population
61,689
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Pontiac, MI →
C+
77.1 Score
West Des Moines, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$325,031
Population
72,205
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View West Des Moines, IA →
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