Performance
Score Breakdown
Multan
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Multan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
84% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Multan's average rent is
88% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Multan | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $143 | $1,162 | -88% |
| Groceries | $80 | $400 | -80% |
| Utilities | $112 | $180 | -38% |
| Transport | $7 | $90 | -92% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $342 | $2,082 | -84% |
| Cost Index | 31 | 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 Multan is estimated at
$414 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Multan | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $175 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $414 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 565 idx | 80,247 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Multan | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Multan 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 | Multan | 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
Multan is the larger city
— approximately 11.5x the population of Des Moines.
From a growth perspective, Multan 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 | Multan | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,409,602 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.84% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | |
| Unemployment | 5.42% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Multan
Advantages
Multan's crime rate has significantly declined, with a 75% reduction in early 2026.
The cost of living in Multan is very low, making it one of the most affordable cities globally.
The city is implementing a new electric bus service to provide modern, safe, and environmentally friendly public transport.
Multan has a rich cultural heritage and is known as the "City of Saints."
The city has a growing population, indicating potential for economic and social development.
Drawbacks
The average monthly net salary in Multan is relatively low at $175, requiring tight budgeting for locals.
While public transport is improving, the city has historically faced issues with an inefficient public transportation system.
Detailed and recent data on certain aspects like specific healthcare quality scores and comprehensive entertainment options are not readily available.
Summer temperatures in Multan can reach extreme highs, up to 50 °C.
The online listing ecosystem for rentals in Multan lags behind expectations, making property search potentially challenging.
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.
Multan
#4Punjab, Pakistan
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$143
Avg Salary
$175
Cost Index
31
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.84%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
70
Business
60
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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