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

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Highlights
Are people in West Des Moines older or younger than people in Menlo Park?
- The Median Age in West Des Moines is 2.3 years younger than in Menlo Park.

Are housing costs cheaper in West Des Moines or Menlo Park?
- West Des Moines housing costs are 88.6% less expensive than Menlo Park housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, West Des Moines or Menlo Park?
- The average commute for residents of West Des Moines is 7.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Menlo Park.

Things to do in Menlo Park?
Menlo Park, CA is known for being one of Silicon Valley's most innovative cities due to its phenomenal growth in business communities over the decades. Located only 30 minutes from San Francisco Bay Area beaches, it provides ample recreational activities like kayaking or sail boating plus plenty of shopping options thanks to its unique boutiques and diverse culture

Things to do in West Des Moines?
West Des Moines, Iowa is a vibrant city located in the greater Des Moines area. This lively town offers an array of exciting attractions for visitors to explore such as the beautiful Living History Farms or the thrilling Adventureland Amusement Park. Residents here also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities at Raccoon River or Water Works Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and wide range of recreational activities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make West Des Moines their home.

 Menlo Park, CAWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock67,640329,725,481
 Median Income$179,913  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$2,476,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time25.05  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Menlo Park    5 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

Cost of living is beyond absurdly  More

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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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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

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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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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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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