Des Moines IA vs Escondido CA — 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 107,066 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.1 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 66.9% | 13.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 0.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Escondido
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Escondido
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $64,484 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $24,356 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.4% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 17.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 14.7% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $849,335 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 40.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Escondido
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.0% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.1% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 503 in Escondido. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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