Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 212,464 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 49.4% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 38.7% | 12.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $36,459 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Des Moines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, 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 319 in Cincinnati. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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