Des Moines IA vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 149,827 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 1.5% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 14.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 0.3% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 2.2% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $43,238 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $26,868 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $46,995 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 9.4% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 26.8% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 28.6% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 48.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1808 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 46.0% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.4% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.1% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 64.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 54.1 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.9 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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