Des Moines IA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Madison
11.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 11.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 12.0% | 7.1% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 9.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 16.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $429,253 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 46.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 309 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.8% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 37.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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