City Comparison
Horace vs Ankeny
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Horace scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Horace
Ankeny
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ankeny is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Horace.
| Metric | Horace | Ankeny | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,380 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Horace offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Horace delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Horace is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Ankeny.
| Metric | Horace | Ankeny |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 73,958 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $98,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ankeny runs warmer on average — a 7.5°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Horace sees 7.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Horace | Ankeny |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 52.10°F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | 82.50°F |
| Winter Low | 1.30°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 29.90 in | 38.10 in |
| Snowfall | 30.30 in | 23.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | 271 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Ankeny leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Horace | Ankeny |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ankeny is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Horace is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Horace has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Horace | Ankeny |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,433 | 73,200 |
| Pop. Growth | 8.50% | 3.50% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Horace
Advantages
Rapid population and community growth with modern, newly constructed housing developments.
Exceptionally low crime rates and a secure environment ideal for raising families.
Direct proximity to Fargo's major employers, healthcare systems, and cultural amenities.
High median household incomes well above the national and state averages.
Active local park district and family-oriented community programming.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Severe winter weather conditions with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
Limited local commercial and entertainment options directly within Horace proper.
Rising housing and property values driven by rapid suburban expansion.
Flat regional geography with limited natural topographic diversity.
Ankeny
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Iowa with crime rates well below the national average per FBI data.
Exceptional public school system (Ankeny Community School District) attracting many families to the area.
Vibrant commercial hubs like The District at Prairie Trail offering diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Rapid economic growth and low unemployment rate tied to a diverse regional job market.
Extensive parks and recreation network featuring over 100 miles of paved trails.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for non-drivers.
Rising housing costs and property taxes driven by rapid population growth.
Cold and snowy winter conditions with average winter lows dropping to 15.3°F.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak morning and evening hours.
Limited nightlife options compared to the nearby urban center of Des Moines.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Horace
#5North Dakota, USA
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
8.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
Business
70
Ankeny
#6Iowa, USA
77.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
52.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
78
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Horace and Ankeny.
Open Cost Calculator