01 · the cities
Naples
Naples brings wealthy retirees to the Gulf coast for genuinely some of the prettiest beaches in Florida, and the sunsets at the pier are a community ritual (everyone gathers, no one talks). The downtown along Fifth Avenue is pastel and breezy. Mercato has the upscale restaurants. The Everglades' western edge starts just south of town. Affluent, sunny, and quieter than the east-coast Florida cities.
full dispatch→Des Moines
Des Moines is the Iowa State Fair every August (think butter cows, deep-fried everything, and the political circus of every presidential cycle), insurance industry stability, and a downtown that's grown into a genuinely good food and brewery scene. The East Village neighborhood is the cool kid pocket. The whole city is bikeable. Friendly, affordable, and chronically underestimated.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,719/mo
$1,268/mo
$1,451/mo less than Naples (114%)
Median home price
Median home price
$679k
$300k
$379k less than Naples
State income tax
State income tax
0%
6.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,614/mo
$6,565/mo
Des Moines has $951/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
261 days
151 days
110 fewer than Naples
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
7 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
55 days
days below 20°F per year
Des Moines has 7 more days above 95°F each year than Naples. Des Moines drops below 20°F on 55 more days per year than Naples.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
58 / 100
55 / 100
3.0 pts behind Naples
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
34 routes
17 routes
17 fewer direct routes than Naples
Metro size
Metro size
404k metro
737k metro
the verdict
6
Naples
categories won
3
Des Moines
categories won
Naples wins on weather and lifestyle. Des Moines has the edge on money.
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