Albany GA vs Des Moines IA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Albany
18.9%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 18.9% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 76.3% | 12.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $210,703 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 39.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 19.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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