Des Moines-West Des Moines and Madison receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Des Moines-West Des Moines | Madison | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 731,120 | 691,830 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $85,890 | $88,804 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,354 | $51,478 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 202/sq mi | 209/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $267,400 | $372,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,150 | $1,354 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 69.5% | 60.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 3.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.3% | -0.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.7% | 50.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 10.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 5,355 | 6,711 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 7.3 | 9.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -10.3% | 18.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 14°F | 12°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 36.5" | 37.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 6 mi | 14 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.5 min | 23.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.8 | 37.0 | 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-West Des Moines
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, strong wind.
Madison
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area · Madison, WI Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology