Des Moines IA vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 8.5% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 57.8% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,527 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $253,319 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 54.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, 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%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Kansas City
10.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 54.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 38.9 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.4 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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