Performance
Score Breakdown
East Hartford
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to East Hartford.
Housing costs are a major driver: East Hartford's average rent is
36% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | East Hartford | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,583 | $1,162 | +36% |
| Groceries | $350 | $400 | -13% |
| Utilities | $250 | $180 | +39% |
| Transport | $300 | $90 | +233% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,683 | $2,082 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 45% 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 East Hartford is estimated at
$29,796 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | East Hartford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,770 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $29,796 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,653 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $70,778 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | East Hartford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 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 | East Hartford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 26.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, East Hartford 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 | East Hartford | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,693 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
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.
East Hartford
#21Connecticut, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between East Hartford and Des Moines.
Open Cost Calculator