Des Moines IA vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 11,627 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 66.9% | 52.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $472,888 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, 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 Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.3% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 22.4% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, 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 Gardens. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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