2026 Compare Cities Education:
West Des Moines, IA vs Tampa, FL

Change Cities
Highlights
- Tampa spends 22.3% less per student than West Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 11.0% higher in Tampa than in West Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Tampa had 8.5% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to West Des Moines
 West Des Moines, IATampa, FLUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$11,103$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$6,009$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock10264573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock4.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock88.4%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.9%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.53.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock10.6%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.1%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock2.0%1.5%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    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 Tampa    162 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

The people in Tampa are fantastic but the city is a total bore. All events are always in South Tampa and never elsewhere, ie, North Tampa. The north end never  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I've lived in small towns before and now for the past 25 years in this large metropolis. It's a very nice city. Lots of jobs, shopping restaurants, churches, Busch  More

   |    Reply

This is my favorite city that I have ever lived in. I am reading all of these terrible reviews for Tampa, but then when I read what people are writing, they are actually  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Tampa


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.