Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Albany
53.0%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.0% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 26.6% | 12.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,226 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 29.0% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.4% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.9°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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