Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Denver
62.9%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 212,464 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 62.9% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 8.8% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 16.0% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $63,966 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $36,459 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,226 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 14.9% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 29.0% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 39.4% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.8% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.0% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 19.8% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 16.4% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 35.6 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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