Des Moines IA vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.4 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 12.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 51.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.9% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.0% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $286,396 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 57.4% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, 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%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 70.2°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 50.0 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, 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 Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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