Johnston, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines is moderately more affordable than Johnston, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Johnston scores 100 compared to 92 for West Des Moines, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Johnston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Johnston is $1,288/month compared to $1,194/month in West Des Moines — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Des Moines is more affordable at $286,300 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Johnston is $103,430 compared to $84,925 in West Des Moines (+21.8%). While Johnston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Johnston spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in West Des Moines.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 50.9°F). West Des Moines receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.6" in Johnston.