Des Moines IA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 170,013 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 13.9% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 35.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.0% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $29,766 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.1% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.5% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 20.1% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $466,147 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 58.4% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.3% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 62.1°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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