Des Moines IA vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 197,768 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 11.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.0% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.9% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $33,953 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,052 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 18.6% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $309,801 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 54.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
1590
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 471 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1590 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 38.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Des Moines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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