Des Moines IA vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 72,528 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 41.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 66.9% | 16.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $579,771 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 42.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
1736
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 434 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1736 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 38.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, 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 434 in Mount Vernon. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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