Des Moines IA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 124,865 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.4 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 4.8% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 9.5% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $57,074 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $534,732 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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