Des Moines IA vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 10.8% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 36.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.8% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $51,888 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $29,679 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 23.3% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 26.6% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $226,456 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 41.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 309 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 41.8% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.1% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.1% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.3% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.1 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 309 in Milwaukee. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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