St. Louis, MO 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.
St. Louis
77
#293 nationally
West Des Moines
77.1
#283 nationally
St. Louis leads in walk score (62 vs 34). West Des Moines leads in median household income ($82,345 vs $51,591). West Des Moines leads in average commute (17.8 min vs 24.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77 (#293) | 77.1 (#283) |
| Population | 293,310 | 72,205 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $188,569 | $325,031 |
| Median Household Income | $51,591 | $82,345 |
| Average Commute | 24.8 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 34 |
| Crime Level | High | 4.5 |
| School Rating | 4.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+64.7 | D+10.9 |
C+
77 Score
St. Louis, MO
Gateway to the West with urban charm
Median Home
$188,569
Population
293,310
Crime
High
Schools
C
Midwest
View St. Louis, MO →
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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