Des Moines IA vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 39.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 66.9% | 34.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.6% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $59,390 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 19.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $580,996 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 30.7% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Miami
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Miami
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 324 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1453 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.5% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 27.2% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 75.8°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 64.1 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.9 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, 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 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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