Signals
Des Moines
White Center
Opportunity: White Center is the more favorable of the two.
Opportunity
39 · Bottom 15%
vs44 · Bottom 24%
Climate
74 · Top 35%
vs74 · Top 35%
Physical resilience
41 · Bottom 31%
vs41 · Bottom 31%
Housing affordability: Des Moines is the more favorable of the two.
Housing affordability
57 · Bottom 16%
vs55 · Bottom 14%
Access
95 · Top 40%
vs95 · Top 40%
Economic stability: White Center is the more favorable of the two.
Economic stability
58 · Bottom 44%
vs62 · Top 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Des Moines | White Center | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,823 | 14,886 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $92,483 | $87,189 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,717 | $46,346 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 5,117/sq mi | 6,543/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $597,000 | $645,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,799 | $1,595 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.6% | 55.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.6% | -1.6% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 35.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.1% | 14.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 77°F | 77°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 38°F | 37°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 39.3" | 36.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 4 mi | 3 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.6 min | 32.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.0 | 37.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Des Moines
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
White Center
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Des Moines
62
Your Score
56
Area Score
White Center
62
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Des Moines, WA · White Center, WA · How this is calculated: methodology