Des Moines IA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 66.9% | 49.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 11.9% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 27.3% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $426,069 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 55.7% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 460 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2417 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.5% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.0% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 67.4°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.7 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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