Performance
Score Breakdown
Prattville
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Prattville.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,162 | +3% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,200 | $2,082 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 37% 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 Prattville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,909 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,454 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $81,337 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Prattville.
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 | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 18.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 17.90 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Prattville.
From a growth perspective, Prattville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prattville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Prattville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,046 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.44% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prattville
Advantages
The cost of living in Prattville is below the national average, particularly for housing, making it an affordable place to live.
Prattville boasts a high homeownership rate of 67.4% as of 2024, exceeding the national average.
The city has a strong sense of community and is considered family-friendly, with a higher percentage of households with children.
The average commute time of 23.9 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for workers.
Prattville's violent crime rate of 226.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is below the national average.
Drawbacks
Prattville is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 18 and limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a decline in employment by -2.48% from 2023 to 2024, indicating challenges in job growth.
Despite a lower violent crime rate, the overall crime rate in Prattville is considered higher than the national average when compared to communities of similar size.
Amenities in Prattville received a low grade (D) in one livability assessment, suggesting fewer entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Summers in Prattville can be hot and uncomfortably humid, with average humidity levels around 71-73%.
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.
Prattville
#49Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$40,909
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.44%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
75
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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