Des Moines IA vs Glendale 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Glendale
192,270
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 192,270 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 41.4 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 66.9% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.7% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $1,205,826 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 35.3% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, 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%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 64.1°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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