Des Moines IA vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.4 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 6.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 58.4% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.0% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 8.1% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $51,690 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Huntsville
58.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $288,707 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 58.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Huntsville
1734
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 400 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1734 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 40.7% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 62.1°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 54.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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