Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Austin
59.9%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 212,464 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.0% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 7.5% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 6.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 16.0% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $63,966 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $36,459 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.8% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.9% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 29.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.4% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.0% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.8% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 35.6 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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