Des Moines IA vs Eden Prairie 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%
Eden Prairie, MN
Minnesota · Population: 63,249
- Median HH Income$127,732
- Median Home Price$505,908
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Eden Prairie
63,249
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Eden Prairie
40.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Eden Prairie
16.6%
Eden Prairie +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Eden Prairie
69.5%
Eden Prairie +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Eden Prairie
7.1%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Eden Prairie
13.6%
Eden Prairie +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Eden Prairie
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 63,249 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 40.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 16.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| White | 66.9% | 69.5% | Eden Prairie + |
| Black | 12.0% | 7.1% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 13.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 5.1% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Eden Prairie
$127,732
Eden Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Eden Prairie
$70,228
Eden Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Eden Prairie
$69,467
Eden Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Eden Prairie
3.3%
Eden Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Eden Prairie
6.0%
Eden Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Eden Prairie
64.7%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $127,732 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $70,228 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,467 | Eden Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 6.0% | Eden Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 64.7% | Eden Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Eden Prairie
$505,908
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Eden Prairie
75.6%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $505,908 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 75.6% | Eden Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Eden Prairie
284
Eden Prairie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Eden Prairie
1992
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 284 | Eden Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1992 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Eden Prairie
24.3%
Eden Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Eden Prairie
7.3%
Eden Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Eden Prairie
12.9%
Eden Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Eden Prairie
5.6%
Eden Prairie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Eden Prairie
18.2%
Eden Prairie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Eden Prairie
9.0%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 24.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 12.9% | Eden Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 5.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.2% | Eden Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.0% | Eden Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Eden Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Eden Prairie
8.1 µg/m³
Eden Prairie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Eden Prairie
75.0%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Eden Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Eden Prairie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Eden Prairie
23.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.7 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eden Prairie leads in median household income at $127,732, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Eden Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Eden Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Eden Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eden Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.3%.
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