Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 212,464 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 72.3% | 66.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 16.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $63,966 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $36,459 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,226 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 29.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 60.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 39.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.4% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 49.9°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 35.6 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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