Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 212,464 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 14.0% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 2.5% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 6.2% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 16.0% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $63,966 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $36,459 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,226 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 14.9% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 39.4% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.0% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.8% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.4% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 35.6 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anaheim + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, 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 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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