Performance
Score Breakdown
Bossier City
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Bossier City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bossier City's average rent is
17% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Bossier City | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $964 | $1,162 | -17% |
| Groceries | $674 | $400 | +69% |
| Utilities | $385 | $180 | +114% |
| Transport | $0 | $90 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $250 | -44% |
| Monthly Total | $2,163 | $2,082 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 35% 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 Bossier City is estimated at
$67,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Bossier City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,372 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,077 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $55,819 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bossier City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Des Moines scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bossier City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Bossier City.
From a growth perspective, Bossier City 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 | Bossier City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,901 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $7.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bossier City
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Bossier City is approximately 5.8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $964 per month as of July 2026, significantly below the national average.
The city experienced a healthy job growth rate of 3.3% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time for residents is a relatively short 18 minutes.
Bossier City has a strong military presence, contributing to a stable economic sector and community diversity.
Drawbacks
Bossier City has a high crime rate, ranking among the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 31, meaning most errands require a car.
Summers are characterized as oppressive, hot, and uncomfortably humid.
The city's population is projected to have a negative growth rate from 2024 to 2026.
Utility costs are approximately 4.0% higher than the national average.
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.
Bossier City
#64Louisiana, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$964
Avg Salary
$42,372
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
65
Business
70
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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