Des Moines IA vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Durham
5.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.8 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 66.9% | 44.0% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 14.7% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $399,509 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 51.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 398 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1999 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 57.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 47.8 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.3 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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