Des Moines IA vs Hialeah FL — 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 45.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 66.9% | 32.4% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.3% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 0.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $53,079 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $25,766 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 17.5% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 21.2% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $444,086 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 47.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Hialeah
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Hialeah
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 324 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1453 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.1% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 34.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 76.0°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 70.4 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.7 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, 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 324 in Hialeah. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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