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