Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 212,464 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 14.0% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 29.0% | 12.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $63,966 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $36,459 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Des Moines
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.4% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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