Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 212,464 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 36.7% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 46.8% | 12.0% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $210,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
42.2%
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.8% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. 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, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA