Des Moines IA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 183,032 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 42.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 66.9% | 51.3% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $510,297 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 53.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 324 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1453 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 75.5°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 66.5 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.5 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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