Des Moines IA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Independence
5.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 121,944 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.4 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 5.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 12.0% | 10.8% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.4% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.4% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $59,480 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $31,683 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,527 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.3% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 20.9% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 501 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2418 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.9% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 54.5°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 43.7 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.5 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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