Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 7.4% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $63,966 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $36,459 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,226 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 29.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.0% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.8% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.4% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 35.6 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 Berkeley. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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