2025 Compare Cities Education:
Des Moines, IA vs Decatur, AL

Change Cities
Highlights
- Decatur spends 15.6% less per student than Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 14.6% higher in Decatur than in Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Decatur had 3.9% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Des Moines
 Des Moines, IADecatur, ALUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$12,058$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$6,441$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock4794573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock7.1%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock83.7%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.2%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock8.9%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.28.1%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock5.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines

Reviews for Decatur    12 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I moved to Decatur from Huntsville about 6 months ago. I love it! Traffic is mostly light, even at rush hour. You have enough shopping amenities here you rarely have to  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I moved to Decatur three months ago from Huntsville and I am very satisfied with the city. Decatur boasts many amenities: on the river, surrounded on two sides by  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

I moved to Decatur from Huntsville a little over a year ago. I'm just not a big fan for a few reasons. #1 Brownsferry Nuclear Power Plant is exactly 10.43 miles from my  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Decatur


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.