Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 212,464 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 39.9% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 46.9% | 12.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $63,966 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $36,459 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 29.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 39.4% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.8% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 392 in Atlanta. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
Compare More Cities
Atlanta, GA vs New York, NYAtlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAtlanta, GA vs Chicago, ILAtlanta, GA vs Houston, TXAtlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAtlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA