Performance
Score Breakdown
Gujranwala
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gujranwala is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
96% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gujranwala's average rent is
95% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Gujranwala | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $54 | $1,162 | -95% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $90 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $32 | $250 | -87% |
| Monthly Total | $86 | $2,082 | -96% |
| Cost Index | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 96% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Gujranwala | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,808 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gujranwala | 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
Gujranwala 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 | Gujranwala | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 17.90 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gujranwala is the larger city
— approximately 13.4x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Gujranwala 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 | Gujranwala | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,793,969 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.62% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | |
| Unemployment | 5.42% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gujranwala
Advantages
Significant industrial hub with over 8,000 small and medium units, offering diverse employment opportunities.
Recognized by the World Bank as the 6th best city in Pakistan for ease of doing business, indicating a favorable entrepreneurial climate.
Cost of living is highly affordable, with average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center at approximately $54 USD per month as of June 2026.
Crime rates have seen a significant reduction, with shop robberies down by 47% and house robberies by 29% in early 2025 due to police efforts.
Ongoing major investments in healthcare, including a new Rs16 billion cardiac institute and upgraded hospital facilities, are improving medical services.
Drawbacks
Specific data for several key metrics like median household income, unemployment rate, median age, transit score, and walkability score are not readily available for 2026.
Average monthly net salary is relatively low at approximately $234 USD, reflecting the economic conditions of the region.
While improving, the healthcare quality score is noted as 32 (out of 100) by one source, suggesting room for further development.
Summers are sweltering and humid, with temperatures reaching 36–42 °C (97–108 °F), which can be challenging for residents.
Car dependency is likely medium to high due to developing public transportation infrastructure, potentially leading to traffic congestion.
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.
Gujranwala
#2Punjab, Pakistan
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$54
Avg Salary
$2,808
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.62%
Unemployment
5.42%
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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