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2026 Compare Cities Education:
Menlo Park, CA vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 28.8% less per student than Menlo Park.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 21.5% lower in West Des Moines than in Menlo Park. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 1.3% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Menlo Park
 Menlo Park, CAWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$15,457  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio19.79  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor431  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.1.8%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.9.8%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.72.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree8.0%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Economy
Reviews for Menlo Park    5 Reviews
Dawn · Menlo Park, CA
San Francisco Bay Area
Over 11 years ago

Cost of living is beyond absurdly  More

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stephen · Menlo Park, CA
Quality of life in Menlo Park
Over 14 years ago

Very nice. Good connection to San Francisco or San Jose or any city in between via Caltrain or bus. Weather can't be  More

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Chris · Menlo Park, CA
City pairs, recommendation for a one-earner equiva
Over 16 years ago

My 14mo daughter, wife and I live in Menlo Park, CA which is approximately half way between San Francisco and San Jose. To afford an upper middle class quality of life  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews
Hazel  · West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines IA
Over 17 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Abhd · New York, NY
overall life style
Over 17 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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Abhd · West Des Moines, IA
Plenty to do in Des Moines area
Over 19 years ago

We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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