Des Moines IA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 11.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 12.0% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 9.2% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $52,606 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.7% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $332,727 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 53.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Lexington
1505
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1505 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 55.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 45.2 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.5 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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