Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 212,464 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.0% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 28.4% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $63,966 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $36,459 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,226 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 29.0% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.4% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.8% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.9°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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