Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 212,464 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 66.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,966 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,459 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $61,226 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 60.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Des Moines
296
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 296 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Casper +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Casper +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Casper +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Casper +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 39.4% | Casper + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.8% | Casper + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.0% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Casper + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Casper + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Casper +
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | 49.9°F | Casper + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 35.6 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Casper +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Casper + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Des Moines
21.1 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Casper scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.6%.
Compare More Cities
Casper, WY vs New York, NYCasper, WY vs Los Angeles, CACasper, WY vs Chicago, ILCasper, WY vs Houston, TXCasper, WY vs Phoenix, AZCasper, WY vs Philadelphia, PA