2025 Compare Cities Economy:
West Des Moines, IA vs Plano, TX

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Plano, is 30% more than it is in West Des Moines and is 31% above the National Average.
- West Des Moines unemployment rate is 3.3%.
- Plano unemployment rate is 5.5%.
 West Des Moines, IAPlano, TXUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.5%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock3.3%1.6%
 Future Job Growth35.2%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes6.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock0.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$49,286  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$99,729$69,021
 Family Median Income$105,485  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 West Des Moines, IAPlano, TXUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock5.1%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K3.0%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock4.5%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K8.3%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock6.2%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K6.7%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock9.0%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K14.0%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock19.8%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K8.8%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock17.5%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 West Des Moines, IAPlano, TXUnited States
 Management, business, finance23.2%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock14.8%6.5%
 Community, social services2.2%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.3%1.2%
 Education, library6.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock2.2%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.8%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.4%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.4%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock4.0%5.4%
 Building maintenance1.8%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.4%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support21.2%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.1%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair4.3%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock5.7%13.1%
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 Plano    42 Reviews

I had lived in Plano for over 30 years. It is where I bought my first home as a single woman, where I married, and where I raised my children. I was fortunate enough  More

   |    Reply

We have lived in Plano for 20 years. It has been consistently rated very highly in surveys of best places to live in the US. Pros are the parks system; which includes  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I've lived here for a while now. It's wonderful here. There's a ton to do, great jobs, great parks, and pretty good school. It's the perfect  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Plano


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.