Des Moines IA vs Duluth MN — 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%
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Duluth
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Duluth
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Duluth
N/A
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Duluth
N/A
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Duluth
N/A
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Duluth
N/A
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Duluth
N/A
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Duluth
N/A
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Duluth
N/A
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Duluth
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Duluth
N/A
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Duluth
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,467 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Duluth
$292,800
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $292,800 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Duluth
1992
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 284 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1992 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Duluth
35.1%
Duluth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Duluth
10.0%
Duluth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Duluth
17.7%
Duluth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Duluth
20.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Duluth
15.1%
Duluth +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.1% | Duluth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.0% | Duluth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.7% | Duluth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.3% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.1% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.1% | Duluth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 39.7°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 31.0 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Duluth
75.0%
Duluth +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Duluth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Duluth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Duluth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Duluth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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