Des Moines IA vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 185,097 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 3.8% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 39.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 3.1% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $51,090 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $32,893 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $51,690 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 18.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 51.4% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 400 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1734 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 40.0% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.0% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 67.4°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 65.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.5 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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