Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 14.0% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 66.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $63,966 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $36,459 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,226 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 14.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 29.0% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 60.5% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 39.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 19.0% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 19.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.4% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, 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 324 in Boca Raton. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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