Des Moines IA vs Fort Worth TX — 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
47.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
5.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 17.0% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 66.9% | 47.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 19.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $37,157 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.7% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
$299,655
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
56.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $299,655 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 56.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
2339
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.5% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.0% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.8% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
37.8 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 65.8°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 37.8 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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