Performance
Score Breakdown
Bahawalpur
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bahawalpur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
78% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bahawalpur's average rent is
87% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Bahawalpur | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $150 | $1,162 | -87% |
| Groceries | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Utilities | $72 | $180 | -60% |
| Transport | $50 | $90 | -44% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $452 | $2,082 | -78% |
| Cost Index | 20 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 100% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bahawalpur is estimated at
$400 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Bahawalpur | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $200 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $400 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,000 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $134 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bahawalpur | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 61.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bahawalpur | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 12.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bahawalpur is the larger city
— approximately 4.7x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Bahawalpur is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bahawalpur | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 983,800 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.87% | % |
| Median Age | 20.8 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.42% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bahawalpur
Advantages
Significantly low cost of living, making it highly affordable compared to global averages.
High safety index, indicating a secure and peaceful environment for residents.
Rich historical and cultural heritage with numerous palaces and monuments.
Strong agricultural base providing local produce and employment opportunities.
Good quality healthcare facilities, including major hospitals.
Drawbacks
Extremely hot and humid summers can be challenging for residents.
Lower average salaries compared to national and international standards.
Limited development in formal public transportation infrastructure.
Lack of specific city-level economic growth data makes future planning uncertain.
Lower literacy rates, particularly for females, compared to more developed regions.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bahawalpur
#5Punjab, Pakistan
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$150
Avg Salary
$200
Cost Index
20
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.87%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
68
Business
50
Des Moines
#21Iowa, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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