Ruston, LA 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.
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
West Des Moines
77.1
#283 nationally
West Des Moines leads in crime level (4.5 vs 11.7). West Des Moines leads in median household income ($82,345 vs $32,877). West Des Moines leads in walk score (34 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ruston, LA | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.3 (#911) | 77.1 (#283) |
| Population | 22,233 | 72,205 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,937 | $325,031 |
| Median Household Income | $32,877 | $82,345 |
| Average Commute | 13.9 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | 4.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.4 | D+10.9 |
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Ruston for:
Swap West Des Moines for: