Des Moines, IA vs Indianola, IA

Side-by-side comparison from the latest government data.

MetricDes Moines, IAIndianola, IA
Population212,42116,044
Median Household Income$65,932$75,453
Median Rent$1,090/mo$986/mo
Median Home Value$194,700$237,500
Cost of Living (US = 100)9292
Renters Paying 30%+ of Income46.6%44.8%
Poverty Rate15%6.4%
Unemployment Rate4.2%3.2% (county)
Violent Crime Rate /100k642140
Property Crime Rate /100k2,8383,267
Median AQI44—
Good AQI Days /yr224—
Summer Highs84°F84°F
Winter Lows17°F15°F
Snowfall37 in/yr31 in/yr
Avg Commute19.5 min21.8 min
Hospitals4—
Avg Hospital Rating2.8 / 5—
Students per Teacher15.915.6
College Degree Rate29.7%35%
Foreign-Born %14.2%1.1%
Population Growth (2020–2025)-0.9%+6.3%

Green = clearly better (more than 5% apart). Population, growth, weather, hospital count and foreign-born share aren’t scored.