Des Moines IA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Gresham
5.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 112,818 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 66.9% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 12.0% | 4.4% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Gresham
$35,390
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $35,390 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 23.6% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Gresham
56.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $472,119 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 56.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Gresham
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 355 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3001 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.4% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.8 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, 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 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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