Des Moines IA vs Detroit MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.1 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 5.9% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 11.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 8.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $39,575 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $24,029 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,052 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 14.1% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 31.5% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 17.6% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 49.7% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Detroit
1590
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 471 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1590 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 45.6% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 22.6% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 21.8% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.3°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Des Moines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.3 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA