Des Moines, IA vs Chicago, IL: where should you move?
Des Moines: Quietly excellent value; flat in every sense. Chicago: World city at half the coastal price; taxes and winter.
Dimension
Des Moines
Chicago
Median home price
$297K
$360K
Effective property tax
1.52%
2.08%
Tax friendliness
6/10
5/10
Winter mildness
3/10
3/10
Summer comfort
8/10
8/10
Walkability
6/10
7/10
Outdoor access
4/10
5/10
Culture & food
5/10
10/10
Healthcare
6/10
10/10
Airport connectivity
7/10
10/10
Schools
7/10
6/10
Safety
7/10
4/10
Hazard safety (10 = lowest risk)
9/10
7/10
Growth trajectory
8/10
3/10
Pick Des Moines if your priorities lean: Median home price, Effective property tax, Tax friendliness, Schools. Pick Chicago if they lean: Walkability, Outdoor access, Culture & food, Healthcare. There is no universal winner — only a winner for your weights.