City Comparison
Burlington vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Des Moines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burlington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
16% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $975 | $1,162 | -16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,925 | $2,082 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 25% 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 Burlington is estimated at
$64,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,716 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,995 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $59,000 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Burlington runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Burlington comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Burlington sees 20.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Burlington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 41.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Burlington.
From a growth perspective, Burlington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Burlington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burlington | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,207 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Burlington offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks, riverfront access, and trails.
The average commute time is short, at approximately 16 minutes.
The city's downtown area has undergone revitalization, offering a growing selection of restaurants and bars.
Year-over-year crime rates have shown a significant decrease, with overall crime down 21%.
Drawbacks
Burlington is experiencing a declining population, projected to decrease by -0.55% annually.
The city has a negative job growth rate, with employment declining from 2023 to 2024.
Overall crime rates are higher than both the state and national averages, with a safety grade of 'D'.
Public transportation options are minimal, leading to high car dependency.
Healthcare costs are slightly 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.
Burlington
#153Iowa, USA
44.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$975
Avg Salary
$48,716
Cost Index
87
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
41.0/10
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
65
Business
45
Des Moines
#22Iowa, USA
69.3 / 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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