Performance
Score Breakdown
Laramie
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Laramie.
| Metric | Laramie | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,149 | $1,162 | -1% |
| Groceries | $377 | $400 | -6% |
| Utilities | $352 | $180 | +96% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $138 | $250 | -45% |
| Monthly Total | $2,136 | $2,082 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Laramie offers similar 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 Laramie is estimated at
$31,776 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Laramie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,136 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $31,776 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,564 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $55,613 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Laramie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 46.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laramie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Laramie.
From a growth perspective, Laramie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laramie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laramie | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,511 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | % |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laramie
Advantages
The cost of living in Laramie is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Laramie has a violent crime rate significantly below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
There are abundant outdoor activities available, including hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing, due to its proximity to mountains and forests.
Commute times are significantly shorter than the national average, at only 13 minutes.
Drawbacks
Childcare and dining out costs can be more expensive in Laramie compared to the national average.
Some residents may need to travel to larger cities for specialized medical care or extensive shopping options.
Despite growth, Laramie can still feel somewhat isolated, with a "middle of nowhere" feel for some.
The median household income in Laramie is lower than the national average.
The housing market, while affordable, has seen a slight decrease in median home prices in early 2026.
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.
Laramie
#21Wyoming, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
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
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