Des Moines IA vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 115,263 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.8 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 66.9% | 46.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $61,228 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $34,492 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
High Point
58.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $251,699 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 58.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
High Point
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 398 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1999 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 60.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 46.1 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.7 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 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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