Des Moines IA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 115,415 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 66.9% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 12.0% | 5.3% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 13.5% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $441,257 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 49.3% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 44.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.7 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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