Des Moines IA vs Fayetteville 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%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 209,692 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 7.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 38.3% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 13.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $56,395 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $31,467 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 18.1% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 28.6% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $226,710 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 46.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, 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%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 40.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 61.2°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 45.4 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, 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 Fayetteville. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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