Sample data. These scores are illustrative placeholders, not real measurements — live scores arrive when the data pipeline runs.
Where Des Moines lands on the scale
Every city is graded on the same 0–100 Fun Score, split into five bands from quiet to exceptional — here is where Des Moines sits.
How the Fun Score adds up
The Fun Score is one number with two halves — 16 things that make Des Moines fun, minus 7 that wear it down. Here is the arithmetic.
16 things that lift the score, blended onto 0–100
7 things that wear it down, blended onto 0–100
- Fun factors lift it
- –
- Drawbacks pull it down
- –
- Raw composite
- –
- Fun Score placed on the published 0–100 scale
- –
Only 40% of the drawback total is subtracted — even a great city can carry a few flaws. Every factor below spells its contribution out as an equation — score times weight. Those 23 contributions are the building blocks behind the two totals above (each is rounded for display).
The Fun breakdown
Every factor is scored 0–100 against the other cities in the index.
Des Moines's strongest factors are Sports, Higher Education and Live Music. Its heaviest drawbacks are Air Quality, Weather Extremes and Crime.
On every bar, the marker shows the typical city — the median score across the whole index.
What lifts the score
- Eats –
Restaurants, food halls and the depth of the dining scene.
Measured from OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Drinks –
Bars, breweries, cocktail rooms and the nightlife spread.
Measured from OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Coffee –
Cafés and the strength of the third-place coffee culture.
Measured from OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
-
Music venues and how often live shows actually happen.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues.
-
Notable people the city is known for, plus headliner acts that tour through.
Measured from SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended).
- Outdoors –
Parks, beaches and easy access to nature.
Measured from OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities.
- Culture –
Museums, theatres, galleries and arts institutions.
Measured from OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Events –
Festivals, fairs and a packed year-round events calendar.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events.
- Sports –
Pro and college teams and the game-day energy around them.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres.
-
Escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke spots.
Measured from OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
-
How much the city is talked about and searched for — news and search attention.
Measured from GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged).
- Climate –
How often the weather is good enough to get outside.
Measured from NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days.
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How well a person without a car can move around the city.
Measured from GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share.
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Density of fun within walking distance — sidewalks, intersections, mixed-use blocks.
Measured from EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city).
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Density of college and university students — the engine behind a college town.
Measured from NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data.
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Protected bike lanes and a working public bikeshare system.
Measured from OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog.
What weighs it down
- Crime –
Reported violent and property crime rates.
Measured from FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals.
- Traffic –
Congestion and the time lost to commuting.
Measured from US Census commute-time data (ACS).
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Recent particulate matter and ozone levels — a trailing-week air-quality average.
Measured from EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average).
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Exposure to natural hazards and severe events.
Measured from FEMA National Risk Index.
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Punishing heat, cold and storm extremes.
Measured from NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data.
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Cost of living and housing pressure on residents.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate.
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What a typical night out actually costs in this metro.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services.
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Cities like Des Moines
The Des Moines read Free
A written read on Des Moines, grounded in the data
A plain-English analysis of why Des Moines scores the way it does — its standout strengths, where it falls short, who it suits best, and the cities most like it. Every figure is drawn from the same 23 factors on this page: it narrates the measured data, it never invents a number.
Des Moines, IA: A "Very Fun" City Tied for 24th Nationally, with a Thriving Sports Scene
Des Moines, IA boasts a Fun Score of 76, placing it in the "Very Fun" category and tied for 24th out of 134 cities nationally. This vibrant city stands out particularly for its exceptional sports offerings.
Why it scores high
Des Moines shines in several key areas, making it an engaging place for residents and visitors alike. The city's top strength lies in its Sports scene, which scores an impressive 90 out of 100. This places Des Moines tied for 8th nationally out of 134 cities, indicating a robust presence of professional and college games, along with numerous stadiums, sports centers, and fitness facilities (Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres). Whether you're a fan of competitive sports or enjoy staying active, Des Moines offers abundant opportunities.
Beyond sports, Higher Education is another significant asset, also scoring 90 and tied for 8th nationally (NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data). This strong educational foundation suggests a dynamic intellectual environment and a consistent influx of students, contributing to the city's overall vitality. This high score indicates a city that values learning and provides ample resources for academic pursuits.
The city also offers a lively Live Music scene, scoring 88 and tied for 13th nationally (Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues). This high ranking suggests a diverse array of concerts and performances, from local acts to touring artists, ensuring there's always something to suit different musical tastes. For those who enjoy catching a show, Des Moines provides a vibrant and accessible live music experience.
Where it falls short
While Des Moines excels in many areas, there are a few factors where it doesn't perform as strongly. The city's Air Quality scores 19, ranking 109th out of 134 cities (EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average)). This lower score indicates that the air quality might be a concern for some residents, potentially impacting outdoor activities or general well-being.
Another area for improvement is Transit Quality, with a score of 26, placing it tied for 99th nationally (GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share). This suggests that public transportation options might be less comprehensive or efficient compared to other cities, potentially making car reliance more common for daily commutes and getting around. Additionally, the city's Climate scores 29, tied for 95th nationally (NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days). This indicates that Des Moines experiences fewer comfortable days throughout the year, which could mean more extreme temperatures or less pleasant weather for outdoor activities compared to cities with higher climate scores.
Who it's for
Des Moines is an ideal city for sports enthusiasts, students, and those who appreciate a vibrant live music scene. Its strong emphasis on higher education also makes it attractive to academics and young professionals seeking a city with intellectual opportunities. Given its excellent scores in sports and live music, it's a great fit for individuals who enjoy attending games, concerts, and other large-scale events.
Cities like it
- Omaha, NE: Similar in its Midwestern charm and community focus.
- Kansas City, MO: Shares a comparable regional feel and a strong emphasis on culture and entertainment.
- Cincinnati, OH: Offers a similar blend of urban amenities and a strong sense of local identity.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services
- Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate
- EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average)
- EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city)
- FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals
- FEMA National Risk Index
- GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged)
- GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share
- NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data
- NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days
- NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data
- OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities
- OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog
- OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap music venues
- SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended)
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres
- US Census commute-time data (ACS)
This narrative is generated by AI from CityFunIndex's measured data. The Fun Scores, ranks and raw values are computed deterministically; the wording around them is the model's. Verify any figure against the linked city page.
Go deeper
Use the data
Des Moines’s Fun Score and every factor score are available through the licensed CityFunIndex API — clean JSON, metered one call per city record, behind a paid key.
Cite this page
Paste-ready credit line for journalists, researchers and bloggers. Carries the score, the algorithm version and the canonical URL so readers can verify it themselves.
CityFunIndex Fun Score for Des Moines, IA: 74/100 (v2.1.0-dev). https://cityfunindex.com/city/des-moines-ia
Press, research and partnership enquiries: media kit · api@cityfunindex.com.