2025 Compare Cities Overview:
West Des Moines, IA vs Johnston, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Johnston older or younger than people in West Des Moines?
- The Median Age in Johnston is 1.6 years older than in West Des Moines.

Are housing costs cheaper in Johnston or West Des Moines?
- Johnston housing costs are 23.2% more expensive than West Des Moines housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Johnston or West Des Moines?
- The average commute for residents of Johnston is 3.2 minutes longer than it is for residents of West Des Moines.

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.

Things to do in Johnston?
Johnston is located in Polk County, Iowa, and is part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines metropolitan area. With a population of 20,619, it is the third largest city in Iowa's Polk County. Johnston features many recreational amenities like parks and trails as well as numerous educational facilities such as the Johnston Public Library and Johnston High School.

 West Des Moines, IAJohnston, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock23,418329,725,481
 Median Income$76,564  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$282,300  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.17  Unlock26.38
Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 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 16 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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Reviews for Johnston    2 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

Strong National Guard presence and very family-friendly. The library is the best one that I've ever visited. We moved here for the Army two years ago and will be leaving  More

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Over 16 years ago

Everyone here is rich. Really, really,  More

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