Des Moines IA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.6% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 10.5% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $334,719 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 48.0% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1992 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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