Corona CA 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Corona +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Corona
41.6%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 14.0% | Corona + |
| White | 41.6% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 5.3% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 6.2% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 16.0% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Corona +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $63,966 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $36,459 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,226 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.8% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 14.9% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 29.0% | Corona + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Corona +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 60.5% | Corona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
35.1%
Corona +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Corona +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 39.4% | Corona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.0% | Corona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.8% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 16.4% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Corona +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Corona +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Corona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Corona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, 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 503 in Corona. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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