Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 25.6% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 67.1% | 12.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 29.0% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $210,703 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.0% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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