2025 Compare Cities Education:
West Des Moines, IA vs Lakewood, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Lakewood spends 28.5% more per student than West Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 20.3% higher in Lakewood than in West Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Lakewood had 8.3% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to West Des Moines
 West Des Moines, IALakewood, WAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$18,363$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,966$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock11394573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock3.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock88.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock12.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.53.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock4.9%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.1%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.7%1.5%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of West Des Moines

Reviews for Lakewood    7 Reviews

Historically, Lakewood has had a bad reputation for being a crime ridden city, but since its incorporation in 1996 it has seen a transformation. Many of its roads have  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Lakewood is the worst city in the state. With a murder rate that has grown upwards of 20 people a year, to the home invasions that happen every day in the city, don’t  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

lakewood(chocolate city, lakeview, eastside,tillicum/woodbrook,lakecity) all crime drug and gang filled areas. very high murder rate for a suburb..and there are way too  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lakewood


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.