Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 212,464 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 83.6% | 66.9% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $63,966 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $36,459 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 29.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 60.5% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Des Moines
296
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Des Moines
1452
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 296 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1452 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.9°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 35.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Des Moines
21.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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