Des Moines IA vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 64.6% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 8.3% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.8% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $60,487 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $34,629 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 50.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Lubbock
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.4% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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