Performance
Score Breakdown
Lahore
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lahore is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
84% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lahore's average rent is
88% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Lahore | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $134 | $1,162 | -88% |
| Groceries | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Utilities | $56 | $180 | -69% |
| Transport | $21 | $90 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $20 | $250 | -92% |
| Monthly Total | $341 | $2,082 | -84% |
| Cost Index | 19 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 100% 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 Lahore is estimated at
$378 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Lahore | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $183 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $378 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 963 idx | 80,247 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Lahore | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 52.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lahore 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 | Lahore | 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
Lahore is the larger city
— approximately 67.2x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Lahore 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 | Lahore | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,062,745 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.64% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | |
| Unemployment | 5.42% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lahore
Advantages
Lahore boasts a rich cultural heritage and numerous historical sites.
The city offers an excellent food scene with a variety of local and international cuisines.
The cost of living in Lahore is relatively affordable compared to other major Pakistani cities.
Lahore has a friendly and hospitable population.
The city has shown significant improvement in safety, ranking among the safest major cities globally in 2025.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion can be an issue in certain areas, especially during peak hours.
Air pollution, particularly smog during winter months, is a significant concern.
Summers in Lahore are intense and can be challenging due to high temperatures and humidity.
Occasional security concerns, though the situation has improved significantly.
Uneven development across different areas of the city can lead to disparities in quality of life.
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.
Lahore
#1Punjab, Pakistan
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$134
Avg Salary
$183
Cost Index
19
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.64%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
74
Business
68
Des Moines
#9Iowa, 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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