Des Moines IA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 66.9% | 28.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.6% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $664,939 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 28.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 40.3 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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