Des Moines IA vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 193,721 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 7.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 12.0% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 7.5% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $50,994 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $33,171 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,097 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 20.5% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $371,202 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 46.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 639 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2350 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 22.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.8% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 57.8°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 51.9 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, 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 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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