Des Moines IA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 119,970 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 66.9% | 26.4% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.3% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $45,300 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $27,319 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 25.5% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 18.3% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 25.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Hartford
1524
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1524 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 40.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.8% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 45.9 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.4 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA