Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 212,464 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 27.4% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 60.0% | 12.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $36,459 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $61,226 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 29.0% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $210,703 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 39.4% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.0% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.8% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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