Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Moines
Melaghar
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Melaghar is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Des Moines.
| Metric | Des Moines | Melaghar | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,162 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,082 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Des Moines | Melaghar |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Des Moines | Melaghar |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Melaghar has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
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 | Des Moines | Melaghar |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 17.90 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 10.3x the population of Melaghar.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines 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 | Des Moines | Melaghar |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,232 | 20,300 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.22% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Melaghar
Advantages
Melaghar boasts a high literacy rate of 91%, significantly above the national average.
The town is a cultural hub, famous for its vibrant Durga Puja and Ratha Yatra festivals.
Tripura, including Melaghar, recorded its lowest crime rate in two decades in 2025, indicating improved safety.
The presence of Neermahal, a unique water palace, makes Melaghar a significant tourist attraction.
The cost of living in Tripura, and likely Melaghar, is generally less expensive than the average in India.
Drawbacks
Summers in Melaghar can be excessively hot, dry, and humid.
During the monsoon season, Melaghar is frequently inundated due to excessive rainfall and flooding.
Specific, up-to-date economic and demographic data for Melaghar itself is limited, often requiring reliance on broader state-level statistics.
While agriculture is a major industry, there's a need for diversification, as highlighted by a farmer's success with unconventional crops.
The geographical isolation of Tripura presents logistical and economic challenges for trade and business.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Des Moines
#28Iowa, 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
Melaghar
#7Tripura, India
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.22%
Livability
70
Business
60
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